What role does inflammation play in spinal cord injury?
Mechanical injury to the spinal cord is followed by an inflammatory response that leads to a great deal of damage that gets worse with time. However, inflammation also triggers processes such as wound healing that are of significant benefit. Most of the damaging effects of inflammation are carried out by a subset of white blood cells called neutrophils. In collaboration with the Weaver and Dekaban laboratories we are investigating the use of a monoclonal antibody that blocks these cells from entering the injured cord. This experimental treatment has shown remarkable success in preclinical animal studies and is being further developed. Can stem cell transplantation be used to improve outcomes from spinal cord injury? The capacity for repair in the injured spinal cord is greatly impaired because the mature central nervous system, with rare exceptions, is unable to generate new neurons or to regenerate axonal connections. Cell transplantation has therefore emerged as a promising treatment
