Introducing Techniques to Counter trauma
Neurological trauma disrupts and ends lives in an instant. Patients who sustain serious trauma lose not only the function of their limbs and sense organs, but also their emotional and psychological independence. They are left with no alternative but to depend on others for existence. Modern medicine has yet to provide a proper solution. So, innovative stem cell therapies have become an alternative solution. Within this context, the potential of UC-MSCs for neuro-regeneration is better understood. Complicated spinal cord injuries call for creative solutions, since differentiated neural tissues do not have the ability to regenerate after suffering major trauma. Researchers across borders regard targeted stem cell therapies as one of the few options to help patients regain the use of their limbs. For a model of development, it is important to shift away from to Quality-of-Life medicine and consider healing medicine.
The Unique and Complex Nature of the Biological Mechanisms Underlying UC-MSCs
Understanding the unique and complex mechanisms behind the action of UC-MSCs makes it clear why this stem cell has the potential to create a lot of new healing solutions. Under this perspective, they have the potential to contribute to the secretion of a lot of neurotrophic factors and create a healing microenvironment for the long-term survival of neurons. In addition to their role as bio-regulators of the peace of mind of the central nervous system, they also have the potential to ameliorate the inflammation of spinal cord injuries. Typically, the inflammation of trauma is the destruction of the remaining nerve cells that surround it. By relocating UC-MSCs to tissue healing, the bio-agents facilitate the phase shift of the immune system from destruction to healing, and therefore contribute to significantly less secondary damage. In addition, these agents release extracellular vesicles known as exosomes, encapsulating a regulatory network of microRNA. These secreted messengers inhibit the cell death pathways in neighboring injured neurons. Rapid and strong local angiogenesis follows this. The nutrition and oxygen needs of the healing spinal tract are then satisfied by the new networks of blood vessels.
Historically, the breakdown of orthodox medical practices involved dealing with the inevitable spinal trauma, the surgical removal of compressing spinal fragments, removal of bone fragments, fragments and sections of nerves compressing the spinal cord, followed by rapid systemic high-dose administration of corticosteroids to reduce post-operation swelling of the spinal cord and rapid patient mobilization and rehabilitation which involved intensive activity. These practices had serious limitations and private practice was confined to these limitations. Reconstructive operations removed the means for further spinal injury, but they left the patient with their condition. These also left the patient with the new means of further injury with new and chronic osteoporosis of the spine and the significant risks of peptic ulcer bleeding, increased infections and tissue necrosis, as well as the complete loss of bone marrow. Existing chronic spinal cord injuries caused permanent paralysis and there was no stem cell or UC-MSCs alternative for a severely injured spinal cord.
UC-MSCs are the only umbilical cord tissue stem cell that rapidly divides and maintains genetic stability, and are the only umbilical cord tissue stem cell with immune privilege. Due to their expression of extremely low levels of major histocompatibility complex molecules, the recipient host body typically does not respond to transplant rejection. This quality also eradicates the necessity for adverse immunosuppressive medications. Once these cells are introduced to the body, they utilize a process known as targeted homing to travel to the site of the lesion. There they form extracellular matrices to fill the gap left by the injury. This bridge provides a scaffold for microscopic axons to cross the site of spinal cord injuries. There is a high capability for complex neurological repair using UC-MSCs.
Figure 1: The Unique and Complex Nature of the Biological Mechanisms Underlying UC-MSCs
The Future of Medicine in Thailand
The rapidly developing science suggests that Southeast Asia is the next stop. It hasn’t been long in the global arena that complex spinal cord injuries protocols using advanced stem cell technology, particularly UC-MSCs, have been developed in Thailand. The country has a developed, modern, and sophisticated medical technology system. It is possible to conduct advanced (first of their kind in the world) clinical research using stem cell technologies, and Thai administrators do not impose unnecessary bureaucratic delays in the approval process for safe human trials. This type of regulatory climate tends to attract the world’s top researchers. Coupled with the established local biomedical research institutions and their collaborations with international universities, Thailand also has some of the best stem cell-based complex cell culture technologies. Further contributing to the country’s position as the next global hub for complex stem-cell based medical technologies are the region’s booming medical tourism industry, the high demand from international patients for medical technologies that are not possible in their home countries, and the combination of state-of-the-art hospital systems with affordable healthcare. The Thai government’s forward thinking medical policies and investments place the country in a position of global leadership for neuro-regenerative technologies.
Comprehensive Overview of the Restorative Landscape
Major advances have been made to restore the potential for human mobility after catastrophic spinal cord injuries. Traditional methods do not approach functional tissue regeneration. The use of UC-MSCs offers significant biological features that seemed impossible. By utilizing the mechanisms of immunosuppression and neurotrophic support, this type of stem cell alters the hostile internal environment for healing. The repair of the injured tissue continues to receive biological signals that promote cellular survival rather than programmed cellular death. The use of advanced biological technologies for the healing of spinal cord injuries requires robust modern clinical infrastructure. There is progress in regenerative cellular medicine in Southeast Asia, and research on spinal restoration for the millions of people around the world who are waiting for safe and effective restorative therapies is needed. The integration of research and clinical services will cure people and give them the prognosis of injury recovery.