Project R-1505

Improving functional recovery after spinal cord injury by a combined application of antiinflammatory interleukins and neural stem cells (Research)

The general aim of this project is the development of a new combination therapy for spinal cord injury (SCI). Previously, we demonstrated that a selected population of immune cells (T helper cells) promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery after SCI in mice. We could also show that the cells exert their effect by secreting a specific factor (interleukin-4 [IL-4]) that is necessary and sufficient to support regeneration and clinical improvement. Preliminary data suggest that several methods of IL-4 delivery effectively support neuroregeneration and that another immune factor (IL-10) is necessary for these effects. We will combine this effective immunological treatment with the local application of stem cells. The special strength of this therapeutic approach is that the immune factors promote the regeneration of nerve fibers and the stem cells provide additional growth factors and may differentiate into specialized cells oligodendrocytes), which promote the development of a myelin sheath of the nerve fibers that is important for proper functioning of the newly formed nerve fibers. This project fits well within strategic program 2 (┐Neuro-immune communication) of BIOMED. The sub projects will be performed in close cooperation between the Morphology Dept. and the Immunology Dept. in the BIOMED institute. This will strengthen the interdepartmental cooperation, improve the synergistic use of methods and promote the exchange of knowledge between principal investigators and students.

01 January 2009 - 31 December 2012