Cell transplant therapy to reverse paralysis

A man paralysed from the chest down by a knife attack has been able to walk again following pioneering surgery that transplanted cells from his nose into his back, allowing his severed spinal cord to regrow

HOW CELL TRANSPLANT THERAPY CAN REVERSE PARALYSIS

Surgeons remove one of patient’s two olfactory bulbs – where sense of smell is located. Bulb is rich source of olfactory ensheathing cells(OECs), which enable nerve fibres in olfactory system to regenerate throughout person’s life

OECs grown in laboratory culture until sufficient number produced 

Spinal column

Spinal cord

Area of damage

Brain

Olfactory bulb

Nasal cavity

Olfactory nerve fibres and receptor cells

Multiple injections ofOECs performed aboveand below damagedarea of spinal cord

OEC injection site

Thin strips of nerve tissue taken from patient’s ankle and grafted across gap inspinal cord. Scientists believe OECs provide pathway for nerve fibres above and below injury to reconnect, using tissue grafts as bridge

Spinal cord

Nerve tissue grafts
 
Source: Wire agencies 

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