Combination of epidural electrical stimulation with ex vivo triple gene therapy for spinal cord injury: a proof of principle study

This study explores combining epidural electrical stimulation (EES) with gene therapy to treat spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The gene therapy involves transplanting genetically modified human umbilical cord blood cells (UCBMCs) to produce therapeutic molecules. Rats with SCI received intrathecal infusions of UCBMCs expressing genes for VEGF, GDNF, and NCAM, followed by EES at specific spinal cord locations. The combined treatment showed improvements in knee joint function and muscle fiber preservation. The study found reduced apoptosis and increased preservation of gray and white matter in rats treated with the combined therapy. This suggests the combined approach may enhance nerve cell survival and regeneration after SCI.

• 1
  Rats subjected to the combined treatment showed a limited functional improvement of the knee joint and high preservation of muscle fiber area.
• 2
  Beneficial cellular outcomes such as reduced apoptosis and increased sparing of the gray and white matters were found in rats subjected to the combined epidural electrical stimulation with gene therapy.
• 3
  The study presents the first proof of principle study of combination of the multisite epidural electrical stimulation with ex vivo triple gene therapy (VEGF, GDNF and NCAM) for treatment of spinal cord injury in rat models.