Intranasal Delivery of Human Olfactory Stem Cells in SCI Treatment

Background: Olfactory stem cells hold great promise as a treatment for neural injury and disease. Two types of stem cells are known to be present in the olfactory mucosa – basal epithelial cells and mesenchymal cells in the lamina propria. Basal epithelial cells, under stimulation of mesenchymal cells, are known to differentiate into neurons1,2. Among other immunomodulatory functions3, mesenchymal cells are also observed to differentiate into neurons. Improvement with olfactory stem cells is observed in various animal models, including head injury4, nerve repair5,6, and Alzheimer’s disease7. The purpose of this research is to explore the degree to which human olfactory stem cell treatment following spinal cord injury facilitates functional improvement. Methods: Human olfactory stem cellls were obtained using a Covid testing brush and expanded in culture. The cells are sent out for pathogen testing before use. A laminectomy is performed on under isoflurane anesthesia on male adult Sprague Dawley rats. After a left T11 hemisection, the rats received stem cells or vehicle solution intranasally immediately after injury and 10 days after injury. Function is evaluated using Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale. BBB is a 21-point scale that assigns a score bases on the degree of movement in the hip, knee and ankle joint and foot position. Rats are also tested using an inclined plane to determine the highest angle that rats can maintain their position. Results: Results of functional tests are still pending. It is expected that results will be collected and ready at the time of presentation. Conclusion: Following the completion of functional testing, improvement in mobility and range of motion over time in stem cell recipient rats will be compared to vehicle solution recipients to assess the benefit of the treatment. Clinical translation will be facilitated in that stem cells can obtained and delivered in minimally invasive manner.