Demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and leukocyte dystrophy, are characterized by the destruction of the protective myelin sheath surrounding neuronal axons. This demyelination may be due to an autoimmune response or impaired production of myelin in oligodendrocytes.
Duke University Arjun Saha and colleagues published a new report on JCI Insight that a cell therapy product called DUOC-01 can accelerate the remyelination of axons in mice treated with demyelinating chemicals.
DUOC-01 cells from toxic cord blood were transplanted into mice after toxic demyelination. DUOC-01 treatment resulted in faster remyelination and promoted the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells.
These results indicate that cell products derived from cord blood can promote neuron repair and remyelination. Further clinical studies will be needed to determine whether DUOC-01 cell therapy is beneficial to patients with demyelinating diseases.