Intrathecal Injection of Autologous Mesenchymal Stem-Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Spinal Cord Injury: A Feasibility Study in Pigs

This study investigates a new way to help the spinal cord heal after an injury using tiny particles called extracellular vesicles (EVs) that come from stem cells. The EVs were injected directly into the spinal fluid of pigs with spinal cord injuries to see if it could help them regain movement. The research also looked at the best way to prepare these EVs from stem cells to ensure they are effective for treatment.

• 1
  The study found that a specific method of preparing EVs, involving vortex mixing and filtration, resulted in more uniform and smaller vesicles.
• 2
  Pigs that received the EVs showed some improvement in their ability to move, suggesting the treatment might help restore locomotor activity.
• 3
  The EVs seemed to help by stimulating the remyelination of nerve fibers and improving blood flow to the injured spinal cord tissue.