Injury to the central nervous system is not only debilitating to the affected individual but also distressing for all people who are a part of that individual’s life. Spinal Cord Injuries frequently result in paralysis and the loss of and/or extreme disruption to bodily sensations. Injuries of this nature not only change life as it was known for the individual, but equally for all members of the individual’s family. Activities of daily living which were once normal and routine, now become monumental tasks requiring the support of endless medical resources. Repairing disrupted pathways of nervous tissue has proven of little success with traditional interventions. There is a marked shift in focus to alternative therapeutic strategies. An alternative of great promise is the application of UC-MSCs. Stem cells from human umbilical cords offer unique properties of a great deal of promise for the repair of damaged nervous tissue. The application of such cutting edge therapies is of utmost importance, as they give the greatest potential for the restoration of lost functionality. The advanced field of Regenerative Medicine Thailand offers is quickly establishing the nation as the leader for this type of medical innovation.
Comprehensive Mechanisms
Understanding the role of UC-MSCs in the repair of nervous tissue requires an in depth analysis of the cellular level interaction of these tissues. Following the incorporation of these specialized stem cells into the traumatized nervous tissue, a variety of neurotrophic factors are released. Factors such as brain derived neurotrophic factor and nerve growth factor aid in the survival of nervous tissue. Coupled with the release of neurotrophic factors, UC-MSCs also initiate strong immunomodulatory responses to the severe local tissue inflammatory response that is characteristic of Spinal Cord Injuries. Following an injury to the spinal cord, a strong inflammatory response is coupled with the death of nervous tissue. The hostile environment surrounding the nervous tissue is mitigated by these stem cells through the release of anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. Additionally, in the context of Regenerative Medicine Thailand, these stem cells have the ability of trans differentiation.
While the primary role of UC-MSCs appears to be enhancing tissue repair via paracrine signaling, there are indications that these cells may be able to differentiate into cells along the lines of neurons that can span broken areas of the nervous system affected by Spinal Cord Injuries. Additionally, they are able to promote the growth of new blood vessels, improving the supply of blood to previously anemic nervous tissues. All of these combined actions assist the repair of nervous tissue in a comprehensive manner supported by Regenerative Medicine Thailand.
Figure 1: Comprehensive Mechanisms of UC-MSCs in Spinal Cord Injuries
Existing Therapeutic Modalities
Traditionally, the combination of surgery and drug therapy has been the mainstay of medical treatment. As an example, the first line of treatment for the relief of direct mechanical pressure on the spinal cord is still surgical decompression. Corticosteroids are given post-operatively in order to control the inflammatory response and tissue swelling. However, these methods of treatment have many drawbacks. From a surgical perspective, intervention only halts further mechanical injury. Complete severance of nerve fibers remains permanent. Prolonged corticosteroid therapy results in unwanted side effects including gastrointestinal bleeding and infection secondary to immune suppression. Aggressive rehabilitation only seeks to diminish atrophy and preserve the remaining voluntary muscle control; restoration of lost nerve function is an objective that is seldom, if ever, achieved. Stabilization and symptom control remain the focus of contemporary treatment. Inherent to these limitations is the inability of traditional techniques to foster the repair of severely interrupted spinal cord pathways. This inability emphasizes the critical need for biological repair of Spinal Cord Injuries and has spurred interest in the application of UC-MSCs within the growing sector of Regenerative Medicine Thailand.
The Rationale for Cellular Therapy
Replacement of contemporary treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries with UC-MSCs addresses the unmet biological needs that are the basis of contemporary treatment. The key therapeutic component of UC-MSCs cellular therapy is the ability of these cells to transform the inhibitory cellular environment. No other therapeutic modality is able to penetrate and disrupt the glial scar tissue that serve as a barrier to nerve regeneration. In comparison to traditional therapies, UC-MSCs provide the only means to enhance the current state of cellular therapy with their ability to regulate and alter the cellular environment that inhibits regenerative processes, a core tenet of Regenerative Medicine Thailand. In addition to these benefits for Spinal Cord Injuries, these living UC-MSCs stimulate tissue injury responses and promote remyelination of damaged axons. They also restore the electrical conductivity of the damaged neural pathways, showcasing the advanced capabilities of Regenerative Medicine Thailand.
Trends in Thailand
As one of the leading countries for advanced cellular research and regenerative medicine in Southeast Asia, Thailand has a strong focus on stem cell research. In Thailand, there are excellent lab and clinic-based research resources and infrastructure. There are stem cell research supportive and well-structured ethical regulations. As a result, there is an expected speedy progress of the clinical research of UC-MSCs for the treatment of complex neurological disorders. Thailand has a very well-developed health care system and is an affordable country in comparison to the Western countries. Thailand has also been recognized as an excellent location for cutting-edge treatment for patients with Spinal Cord Injuries. As the new treatments are introduced, speedy progress in the field is expected. The strong focus and commitment to improving the sector of Regenerative Medicine Thailand champions promotes new advances and techniques to integrate these therapies.