Amnion-Derived Multipotent Progenitor Cells Suppress Experimental Optic Neuritis and Myelitis

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Neuroimmunology
• Stem Cell Biology

Background:

• Human amnion epithelial cells (AECs) possess potential pluripotent differentiation abilities.
• A novel cell population, human amnion-derived multipotent progenitor (AMP) cells, secrete regenerative factors.
• The AMP cell secretome (ST266) selectively suppresses optic neuritis in multiple sclerosis models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of systemic AMP cell administration in suppressing both optic neuritis and myelitis in the EAE model of multiple sclerosis.
• To evaluate the neuroprotective effects of systemically administered AMP cells on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and spinal cord inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Systemic administration (intravenous and intraperitoneal) of AMP cells in EAE mice.
• Assessment of visual dysfunction, ascending paralysis, RGC survival, and optic nerve/spinal cord inflammation and demyelination.

Main Results:

• Systemic AMP cell administration significantly reduced paralysis and visual dysfunction in EAE mice.
• AMP cell treatment enhanced RGC survival and decreased optic nerve inflammation.
• Variable improvements were observed in optic nerve demyelination and spinal cord inflammation/demyelination.

Conclusions:

• Systemically administered AMP cells demonstrate neuroprotective effects in the EAE model, similar to intranasal ST266.
• AMP cells show potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for multiple sclerosis, addressing both optic neuritis and spinal cord pathology.