Survival and Functionality of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocytes in a Nonhuman Primate Model for Multiple Sclerosis

This study demonstrates for the first time that human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), after intracortical implantation in a nonhuman primate model for progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), migrate to the lesions and remyelinate denuded axons. These findings imply that human iPSC-OPCs can be a therapeutic tool for MS. The results of this feasibility study on the potential use of hiPSC-derived OPCs are of great importance for all MS researchers focusing on the stimulation of remyelination in MS patients. Further optimization and research on practical issues related to the safe production and administration of iPSC-derived cell grafts will likely lead to a first clinical trial in a small group of secondary progressive MS patients. This would be the first specific therapeutic approach aimed at restoring myelination and rescuing axons in MS patients, since there is no treatment available for this most debilitating aspect of MS.

Source: Stem Cells Translational Medicine - October 18, 2016 Category: Stem Cells Authors: Thiruvalluvan, A., Czepiel, M., Kap, Y. A., Mantingh-Otter, I., Vainchtein, I., Kuipers, J., Bijlard, M., Baron, W., Giepmans, B., Bruck, W., t Hart, B. A., Boddeke, E., Copray, S. Tags: Pluripotent Stem Cells, Oligodendrocytes Precursor Cells, Enabling Technologies for Cell-Based Clinical Translation Source Type: research