According to a publication from Multiple Sclerosis News Today, recent studies of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs – adult stem cells) suggest that autologous transplant of stem cells could one day be used to form new myelin in patients. Myelin is the protective coating that gives neurons structure and insulation. The potential to grow myelin from stem cells could have significant implications for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an often debilitating autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly targets and destroys the protective myelin sheath that coats nerve fibers. Over time, permanent damage to or deterioration of a nerve can occur, causing severe communication issues between the brain and body.

Symptoms may differ between individuals due to the highly variable nature of the disease (e.g. which neurons are affected), but movement (tremors, numbness, lack of coordination) and eyesight (blurry vision, partial or complete loss of vision) are commonly affected.

Most courses of MS are relapsing-remitting, meaning symptoms flare up and ease with varying regularity over time. In advanced stages of relapsing-remitting MS, symptoms may eventually persist into a steady progression of symptoms called secondary-progressive MS. Other cases start with steady progression of symptoms and never let up – this is known as primary-progressive MS.

Clinical Trials of Mesenchymal Stem Cells

One year-long study of intrathecal autologous adipose stem cell transplants (that’s science for “spine-injected, fat-derived stem cells from your own body”) found the stem cells were well tolerated by multiple sclerosis patients.

In fact, the study suggested that adipose-derived stem cells (or ASCs) were effective at slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in some patients. Over a year and a half, none of the participants in the trial observed any progression in their MS, and no adverse side effects were reported. ASCs show tremendous promise in myelin restoration, but because of their powerful anti-inflammatory properties they should only be used during the inflammatory phase of the illness or in aggressive forms of the disease.

Other studies suggested that bone marrow-derived and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were also well tolerated and safe in multiple sclerosis patients.

Stem cell research has come a long, long way in just a few decades. Do you have hopes for where it could go further? Share your thoughts with Patient Worthy!