Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) is a promising route for CNS repair. There have, however, been major discrepancies between the results from different groups. Part of this can be attributed to variations in cell sources and culture protocols. Accurate estimation of the proportions of OECs and their associated fibroblasts (ONFs) and their evolution with time in culture is an...

multiple sclerosis (ms) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (cns). inflammation caused by immune cells destroy the myelin and then axon. cns failure to complete repair results in permanent disabilities. some types of stem cells have special potentials to repair these injuries and even cure ms. neural crest stem cells with a mutual origin with cns and the ability of differen...

In an ongoing clinical trial, a spinal injured patient who received a transplant of autologous cells cultured from the olfactory bulb is showing greater functional benefit than three previous patients with transplants of mucosal origin. Previous laboratory studies of transplantation into rat spinal cord injuries show that the superior reparative benefits of bulbar over mucosal cultures are asso...

Purpose: Spinal cord injury is a global public health issue that results in extensive neuronal degeneration, axonal and myelin loss and severe functional deficits. Neurotrophic factors are potential treatment for reducing secondary damage, promoting axon growth, and are responsible for inducing myelination after injury. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) and minocycline have been shown to promo...

Olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG) are distinct from other glia in their developmental origin, presence in both the peripheral and central nervous systems, and highly restricted location. OEG are present only in the olfactory lamina propria, olfactory nerve, and the outer two layers of the olfactory bulb, where they envelop bundles of olfactory sensory neuron axons in a manner distinct from myeli...

Much excitement has been generated by recent work showing that a variety of myelin-forming cell types can elicit remyelination and facilitate axonal regeneration in animal models of demyelination and axonal transection. These cells include peripheral-myelin-forming cells, such as Schwann cells and olfactory ensheathing cells. In addition, progenitor cells derived from the subventricular zone of...

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are unique cells that are responsible for the successful regeneration of olfactory axons throughout the life of adult mammals. More than a decade of research has shown that implantation of OECs may be a promising therapy for damage to the nervous system, including spinal cord injury. Based on this research, several clinical trials worldwide have been initiated...