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Washington University School of Medicine has announced significant advancements in the field of spinal cord injury treatment through innovative immunotherapy. Recent research conducted on mice indicates that engineered immune cell therapy can safeguard neurons and enhance recovery post-injury. Spinal cord injuries have devastating effects, leading to permanent disabilities. While the initial trauma is severe, much of the subsequent damage arises from ongoing degenerative processes following the injury.
Researchers at the university have focused on developing an immunotherapy that aims to protect neurons from being harmed by immune responses triggered by the injury. The team’s findings, published September 4 in *Nature*, reveal that targeting the immune response can mitigate damage, representing a notable advancement in therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injuries.
Jonathan Kipnis, PhD, a senior author of the study and a distinguished professor of Pathology & Immunology, emphasized the dual role of immune cells, which can both negatively impact and protect the central nervous system. The findings of the study indicate a controlled use of immune cells can facilitate recovery from such injuries. The research demonstrated a successful application of immunotherapy in mice, highlighting the potential for similar treatments in humans.
The study also involved the analysis of immune cells found in the spinal cords of injured mice. Wenqing Gao, PhD, the first author of the study, conducted genetic analyses to differentiate between harmful and protective subsets of T cells. She successfully produced clones of beneficial T cells intended for therapy. However, the researchers discovered that these protective T cells could also attack the body’s tissues if activated too long. To address this concern, they adapted the cells to deactivate after a predetermined period, thereby reducing the risk of inducing autoimmune diseases.
Mice receiving the modified T cells exhibited significantly improved mobility compared to untreated subjects, especially when treated within a week of injury. Crucially, none of the treated mice developed adverse autoimmune reactions, underscoring the therapy’s potential safety profile.
In collaboration with spinal cord surgeon Dr. Wilson Zachary Ray, the researchers monitored T cell changes in the cerebral spinal fluid of human spinal cord injury patients. Their findings revealed a substantial increase in T cells, affirming the potential to use similar immunotherapy strategies in clinical settings for such patients.
The researchers are now exploring the possibility of conducting clinical trials to assess the therapy’s efficacy in patients. They aim to extend the application of this technology to neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases. Kipnis noted that while the triggers for neurodegenerative diseases vary, the underlying processes leading to neuronal death are likely similar, indicating a promising avenue for treatment adaptation.
This development follows significant investment in research and education at Washington University School of Medicine, which ranks among the top medical schools in the United States. The institution has a robust portfolio for National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, supporting its extensive programs in biomedical research and clinical innovations. With a commitment of over $1 billion annually towards research and training initiatives, the university continues to lead advancements in medical science and patient care.