Researchers of Professor Tal Dvir’s laboratory at Tel Aviv University are preparing to begin human trials of a spinal cord implant made from patients’ own tissue that could help repair damage caused by spinal cord injuries and potentially reverse paralysis. JNS reports that the implant is designed to function like natural spinal cord tissue, reestablishing connections to the brain that may have been severed by traumatic injuries. The cells used in the implant take several months to produce using blood samples and abdominal tissue from the patient.
The blood sample supplies cells that researchers reprogram into stem cells, returning them to a flexible state from which they can develop into many specialized cell types.
The second ingredient comes from fatty tissue associated with the abdominal organs. Researchers separate out the supporting material that surrounds its cells, including collagen and other structural molecules. They then process this material into a hydrogel, a water-rich gel that gives the developing cells a supportive environment in which to grow.
With the stem cells embedded in the gel, controlled laboratory conditions mimic aspects of how the spinal cord develops in an embryo. These conditions guide the cells to become nerve cells, including motor neurons, which carry signals involved in controlling movement. As they develop, the cells extend connections to one another and reshape the surrounding supporting material, forming an interconnected network.
By using a patient’s own cells, researchers can greatly reduce the risk of the immune system recognizing the implant as foreign tissue as it connects with damaged nerves. The procedure has already been tested in mice, showing promising results. Researchers found evidence of damaged nerve fibers regenerating, and the animals eventually regained the ability to walk.
The biotech company Matricelf is overseeing the implant’s further development as it prepares to enter the human testing phase. In an August update, Matricelf estimated that the first selected patient could begin treatment at Sheba Medical Center in the first half of 2027. The trial will focus on adults with established spinal cord injuries, evaluating not only changes in nerve function but also improvements in their ability to perform everyday activities independently, such as getting dressed, transferring between a bed and wheelchair, and using the bathroom.
Ultimately, restoring the ability to walk remains the goal. Professor Dvir says, “If this works in humans, and we believe that it will, it can offer all paralyzed people hope that they may walk again.”