Shayna Korol -

UC San Diego researchers successfully derived spinal cord neural stem cells from human pluripotent stem cells, according to research published in Nature Methods.

Here are four things to know:

1. Researchers grafted hPSC-derived NSCs into the injured spinal cords of rats. The cells promoted robust corticospinal regeneration and improved functional outcomes in the rats.

2. The cells may provide a clinically translatable cell source for replacement strategies in spinal cord injuries and disorders.

3. According to first author Hiromi Kumamaru, MD, PhD, the newly generated cells will be source cells for human clinical trials within three to five years once their safety and efficacy is demonstrated.

4. In addition to providing potential therapies for spinal cord injury, the NSCs can be used in modeling and drug screening for spinal cord disorders, according to Dr. Kumamaru.

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