Treatment biotechnologies: the role of stem cells and exosomes. Treatment biotechnologies have now firmly entered the arsenal of modern medicine. They are innovative methods based on the use of stem cells and exosomes. These methods are effective and safe, and today they are widely used in the treatment of various diseases. Human stem cells, both our own and donor ones, are one of the key tools for treatment biotechnologies. They can be multiplied in the laboratory to the required quantity and introduced into the patient’s body. The most widely used are mesenchymal and T-regulatory stem cells. In the adult body, they constitute a limited natural reserve for the restoration and renewal of various tissues and organs throughout life.
The treatment of neurological disorders is a fairly wide area of use of stem cells: this includes neurodegenerative diseases, complications due to other diseases, psychosomatic, etc.
Method for perineural delivery of stem cells
A method for perineural delivery of stem cells to damaged areas of the brain was previously developed. Using an injection, a suspension of stem cells is injected into the area where the endings of the cranial nerves accumulate. Clinicians chose two methods of administration: into the submucosal space of the nose, where the endings of the olfactory nerves are located, and lumbar into the spinal cord trunk.
Finding optimal methods for stem cell delivery is one of the important tasks in the field of application of cellular technologies. After all, the methods existing in the world are not yet effective enough.
“It’s important to help cells cross the blood-brain barrier. When introduced into the bloodstream of patients, stem cells are diffusely distributed throughout the body, so a relatively small number of cells reach the blood-brain barrier and even fewer overcome it (1–3%). Another method of implantation, which, however, carries great risks, is the local introduction of cells into the damaged area of the brain during neurosurgical operations. Our methods have shown little scattering of cells as they move to the damaged area of the brain, as well as rapid delivery of cells to the lesion.”
“From the submucosal region of the nasal cavities, stem cells move along the fibers of the olfactory nerve into the destroyed areas of the sensorimotor zone of the anterior cranial fossa. And if stem cells are introduced through the lumbar system, they will be directed towards the posterior parts of the brain, which is most effective in cases of cerebellar injury. It has also been shown that the speed of movement of implanted stem cells is quite high; already on the next day, a sufficient number of cells accumulate in the area of injury. The main function of stem cells in the area of injury is the release of biologically active substances that suppress inflammation, the processes of apoptosis and necrosis, and help surviving cells more easily endure extreme conditions in the area of injury. At the same time, due to the plasticity of the brain, healthy nerve cells take on the functions of dead ones.”
More than 70 patients received stem cell therapy in addition to international treatment protocols. Currently, instructions for the use of this method have been developed and implemented, and at the Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, patients who have suffered a stroke, injury, intoxication or degenerative changes are offered to undergo stem cell treatment.
New method of use the specifically progenitor cells
A lot of attention is currently being paid to treatment with stem cells, specifically progenitor cells, which are quite easily integrated into the structure of injured and damaged cells.
Increased neurogenesis in pathological conditions can be activated by both stem cells and progenitor cells. Now it is possible to grow neurospheres, differentiated GRAP and positive neurons and galactocerebroside-positive oligodendrocytes in the laboratory. In the neurosphere, the processes of the formation of nerve precursors. Neural stem cells can form colonies that contain neurons and gliocytes, or three-dimensional tissue cultures that contain neurons and neuroglia, called neurospheres, can be grown.
Cells of neurospheres (hCNS-SChs) upon entering the injured area secrete vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF), which stops inflammatory processes and activates cells for recovery against the background of neovascularization.
Functions of cell in regeneration
Cell therapy alleviates the course of many neurological diseases and improves the quality of life of patients.
Stem cells can change into the structural components of the affected nerve tissue, and by releasing numerous cytokines and growth factors, they can contribute to the recovery of neurons, nerve fibers, and elements of neuroglia.
The introduction of stem cells improves energy processes in neurons and neuroglia, as well as the exchange of biogenic amines and neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerves.
Cell therapy in the complex treatment of autism. developmental delay makes it possible to improve the child’s social skills, in particular, language development, eye contact, promotes increased attention, formation of imagination, and participation in the game.
Rehabilitation of patients due to spinal cord injury using stem cells contributes to faster restoration of sensitivity, improvement of motor functions, self-care skills.
Cell therapy has also been shown to restore dopamine production in Parkinson’s disease. Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells is quite widely used in multiple sclerosis.
Patients considering cell therapy for a specific disease should understand that this innovative method of treatment is effective and safe only under the conditions of proper preparation of biological material in accordance with international standards and qualified application by medical personnel who have the appropriate experience.
What to expect from cell therapy:
regeneration of the affected area of the brain
improvement of microcirculation processes and energy exchange in neurons and neuroglia cells
normalization of nerve impulse transmission processes
increasing the production of biogenic amines and stabilizing the exchange of neurotransmitters
In each case of a neurological disease or symptom, the clinic applies individual treatment programs, paying a lot of attention to the nature of the disease, methods of influencing the problem (treatment), and the current condition of the patients.