Researchers in the United States have developed a medical model for regenerating bladders using stem cells harvested from a patient's own marrow.
"Advances in the use of bone marrow stem cells taken from the patient opens up new opportunities for exploring organ replacement therapies, especially for bladder regeneration," according to co-author, Arun Sharma, Ph.D., of the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and Children's Memorial Research Center. But, he tells HealthLeaders, use in a clinical setting, however, is still years away.
The research, published in the journal Stem Cells, focused on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) taken from the patient. The findings demonstrate the plasticity of stem cells derived from bone marrow.
Researchers found that bone marrow MSCs have phenotypic and physiological similarities with bladder smooth muscle cells (bSMCs), implying that MSCs can serve as an alternative cell source for potentially damaged bSMCs.
The team developed a primate-based model, using the baboon bladder in conjunction with bone marrow MSCs to attempt partial bladder regeneration. They found that the mesenchymal stem cells retained the ability to populate a surgically grafted area while remaining active 10 weeks after surgery. The cells also retained the ability to express key smooth muscle cell markers—essential for the continual expansion and contractile cycles of a functional bladder.
The team's research demonstrates the feasibility of MSCs in partial bladder regeneration, and the use of a primate-based model provides valuable insight into these processes as they may apply to humans, according to investigators.
"This newly described bladder augmentation model represents a unique insight into the bladder regeneration process and provides strong evidence that MSCs can be exploited for tissue engineering purposes," Sharma says. "The non-human primate bladder augmentation model established in this study will also further provide key pre-clinical data that may eventually be translated in a clinical setting."
So, how soon could we see this research "translated in a clinical setting?"
"It depends on the setting in which the process is to be utilized," said in an interview. "There are situations in which partial bladder removal occurs, as in the case of spina bifida patients demonstrating a neurogenic bladder." Depending upon the severity of the disease, he explains a portion of the bladder is removed and restructured with bowel to increase physiological function and relieve internal pressure on the kidneys. "That surgical procedure has many drawbacks, and long- and short-term side effects."
In setting such as the one he described, he believes their methodology could be applied within the next several years, he tells HealthLeaders. "The take home message for clinicians would be to think about alternative regenerative medicine based strategies for their patients in the context of our study."
But it?s still very early, he cautions. "The results of our work are preliminary and much work is needed to accomplish this feat."
And whole-bladder replacement is even further away. "I believe that is many, many years away due to the complexity of the organ and the means in which it can be currently regenerated."