wise

[lunasicc42]

wise, can you please comment on this article. Sounds good


http://www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk/uplo...og-1024-03.pdf

[Wise Young]

Originally Posted by lunasicc42

wise, can you please comment on this article. Sounds good


http://www.enterprise.cam.ac.uk/uplo...og-1024-03.pdf

lunasicc42,

Thanks for posting this. I had heard that this group had successfully gotten mammalian cells to express chondroitinase. They are proposing to use lentivirus to transfect Schwann cells. Schwann cells are of interest because they are not only myelinating cells but they can be obtained from the patient (but injuring a peripheral nerve and then harvesting it a week later), grown and transfected in culture, and then transplanted into the spinal cord. I like the idea and hope that they make rapid progress in moving this into clinical trial. In my opinion, they will need to find another way of inserting the genes into the cells other than by lentivirus, which has not yet been approved for any purpose. There are now methods available (electroporation) for very efficient transfection of genes into cells without having to use viruses. Furthermore, one does not necessarily want the cells to be continually secreting chondroitinase for ever. They should just do so for a period of time to enhance regeneration.

Wise.

[lunasicc42]

Thanks for your reply, is this similar to the Miami projects Suggested approach?

[Wise Young]

Originally Posted by lunasicc42

Thanks for your reply, is this similar to the Miami projects Suggested approach?

Miami developed the technique for growing Schwann cells from peripheral nerves. I don't think that they are transfecting the cells with a modified chondroitinase gene. Wise.