Human Neural Precursor Cells Promote Neurologic Recovery in a Viral Model of Multiple Sclerosis
A recent study published in Stem Cell Reports describes how researchers at the University of Utah used a a viral model of the demyelinating disease multiple sclerosis (MS) to show that intraspinal transplantation of human embryonic stem cell-derived neural precursor cells (hNPCs) results in sustained clinical recovery, although hNPCs were not detectable beyond day 8 posttransplantation. Results from this study show promise for developing new therapies to stop the progression of multiple sclerosis in humans, and perhaps even one day reverse its effects.