A novel immune-based therapy for stroke induces neuroprotection and supports neurogenesis.

The ability of the central nervous system to cope with stressful conditions was shown to be dependent on proper T-cell-mediated immune response. Because the therapeutic window for neuroprotection after acute insults such as stroke is relatively narrow, we searched for a procedure that would allow the relevant T cells to be recruited rapidly. Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced in adult rats.

Clinical experience using incubated autologous macrophages as a treatment for complete spinal cord injury: phase I study results.

Object: A Phase I, open-label nonrandomized study was conducted to assess the safety and tolerability of incubated autologous macrophages administered to patients with acute complete spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: This therapy was first tested in rat models of spinal cord transection and contusion, in which it was shown to promote motor recovery. The procedure developed for clinical use consists of isolating monocytes from patient blood and incubating them ex vivo with autologous dermis.

Features of skin-coincubated macrophages that promote recovery from spinal cord injury.

Uncontrolled inflammation is considered to exacerbate the neuronal loss that follows spinal cord trauma. However, controlled inflammation response appears to be beneficial. Skin-coincubated macrophages injected into contused spinal cord of rats resulted in improved motor recovery and reduced spinal cyst formation.