Research on Stem Cells and MS
Stem cells are cells that can duplicate themselves or turn into different types of specialized cells in our bodies. They are found in both embryos and adults.Stem cell therapy is any treatment that uses or targets stem cells. Learn more about what stem cells are and how they may be used to treat multiple sclerosis.
Types of Stem Cells
aHSCT) therapy. Researchers continue to focus on making aHSCT more effective and minimizing the side effects and risks." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host=""> HSCs are adult stem cells found in bone marrow and blood. HSCs can produce all of the cells that make up the blood and the immune system. This is the one type of stem cell currently used in MS treatments, in a procedure called autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (aHSCT) therapy. Researchers continue to focus on making aHSCT more effective and minimizing the side effects and risks.- Mesenchymal stem cells are adult stem cells found in several places in the body, including the bone marrow, skin and fat tissue. They produce cells that help other stem cells function properly.Adult mesenchymal stem cells are being tested in clinical trials in MS. These tests follow 2 different processes:
- A person’s own mesenchymal stem cells are isolated from the bone marrow or blood stream and multiplied in the lab. They are then re-introduced in greater numbers into their body.
- The cells are sometimes treated prior to transfer to potentially enhance their ability to suppress nervous system-damaging immune responses and/or promote myelin repair.
- Neural stem cells are specialized stem cells that can give rise to many types of cells in the nervous system. These can be derived from other types of stem cells.
- These stem cells are derived from donated embryos. They can naturally produce every type of cell in the body. One concern about their potential therapeutic use is that they have been found to cause tumors.
Read more about efforts to repair the nervous system. Using iPSCs for Disease Modeling
Researchers are also beginning to explore the usefulness of iPSCs for furthering our understanding of MS disease processes. In this approach, stem cells are created by reprogramming skin or other types of cells from people with MS. These are then grown in lab dishes to create “MS in a dish,” enabling close study of possible abnormalities in various types of cells. This approach also holds potential for testing possible therapies." c-nmssatomrichtext_nmssatomrichtext-host="">Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are adult stem cells such as skin cells that are “induced” or programmed in the laboratory to become stem cells. With this line of stem cell research in MS, researchers seek to repair nervous system damage directly. They look at using stem cells to replace:- The cells that make myelin, the protective cover on nerve wires that is damaged during MS
- Nerve cells that have been destroyed
Using iPSCs for Disease Modeling
Researchers are also beginning to explore the usefulness of iPSCs for furthering our understanding of MS disease processes. In this approach, stem cells are created by reprogramming skin or other types of cells from people with MS. These are then grown in lab dishes to create “MS in a dish,” enabling close study of possible abnormalities in various types of cells. This approach also holds potential for testing possible therapies.
Stem Cell Research
To get closer to our vision of a world free of MS, we believe all potential types of cell therapies must be explored. Although cell-based therapy has generated a great deal of interest and holds promise, the field is still developing. Continued research will determine its effectiveness and safety in treating MS. Watch the video below to hear researchers discuss the possibilities of stem cell research to treat MS.
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