Allogenic Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Improve Motor Function in Prenatal Surgical Repair of Myelomeningocele: An Ovine Model Study

( BJOG . 2024;131(6):759–767. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17624) Myelomeningocele (MMC), also referred to as open spina bifida, is the most severe type of spina bifida and a significant abnormality in the neural tube. It consists of a sac filled with fluid found on the back of infants and is linked to dysfunction with the lower limbs, digestion, and urinary systems, as well as possible cognitive impacts. Research conducted by MOMS revealed the advantages of prenatal repair for MMC compared with surgery after birth, resulting in the widespread acceptance of prenatal surgical methods. Even with these improvements, 71% of patients are still unable to walk without assistance by the time they turn 8, and 75% must use a urinary catheter every day by the age of 10. Therefore, further tactics are needed to improve results. Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) may be beneficial in MMC due to their protective and repair mechanisms. Preliminary research showed only slight, insignificant enhancements in motor function from UC-MSCs in a sheep MMC model, leading to the need for more study.