Human mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural progenitors (MSC-NPs) exhibit trophic properties that may influence repair in MS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with irreversible disability in a significant proportion of patients. At present, there is no treatment to halt or reverse the progression of established disability. In an effort to develop cell therapy-based strategies for progressive MS, we have investigated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural progenitors (MSC-NPs) as an autologous source of stem cells with neural progenitor and immune regulatory properties. Previously, we found that MSC-NPs were found to promote neurological recovery after intrathecal injection into mice with chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis(EAE). Injected MSC-NPs migrated to lesion areas where they were associated with reduced demyelination and immune ecellin filtration. Although the mechanism of action of MSC-NPs in the CNS is unknown, we hypothesize that immune regulatory and/or trophic properties of MSC-NPs may influence the lesion environment to promote endogenous repair mechanisms.