Stem cells banish severe autoimmune disease for 15 years

A groundbreaking study by researchers at San Raffaele Hospital has found that a stem cell transplant kept two patients suffering from Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) relapse-free for 15 years without requiring any continuing medication.

The study, published in Nature, demonstrated that the stem cell transplant successfully replaced the patients’ immune systems entirely with donor-derived immune systems, leading to long-term remission of the disease.

About Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)

Neuromyelitis Optica is a rare and severe autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks:

• The spinal cord, and
• The optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.

The disease can cause recurrent attacks resulting in eye pain, vision loss, vomiting and paralysis that may last for days, weeks or even months. These episodes may last from days to weeks or even months.

Key Findings of the Study

Researchers observed that the transplanted immune system exhibited an increased number of regulatory T cells (Tregs), a specialized type of immune cell that:

• Suppresses excessive immune responses,
• Maintains immune tolerance, and
• Prevents the body from attacking its own tissues.

The expansion of these cells appears to have restored immune tolerance, thereby preventing further autoimmune attacks.

The findings suggest that similar approaches may hold promise for treating other autoimmune disorders, although further clinical research is needed. 

What are Autoimmune Diseases?

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system becomes overactive and mistakenly attacks its own healthy cells and tissues.

More than 80 autoimmune diseases have been identified, affecting virtually every organ system of the body.

Examples

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Type 1 Diabetes
• Guillain-Barré Syndrome

What are Stem Cells?

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that possess the unique ability to:

• Self-renew through cell division, and
• Differentiate into specialized cell types.

They act as the body’s natural repair and regeneration system.

Major Types of Stem Cells

Embryonic Stem Cells

• Derived from early-stage embryos.
• Pluripotent, meaning they can develop into virtually all cell types of the human body.

Adult (Somatic) Stem Cells

• Found in various tissues and organs such as bone marrow, skin, and blood.
• Generally differentiate into specialized cells of the tissue in which they reside.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)

• Adult cells that are genetically reprogrammed to behave like embryonic stem cells.
• Possess pluripotent characteristics and are widely used in regenerative medicine research.

Source: Nature

CLICK HERE: UPSC PRELIMS & MAINS CURRENT AFFAIRS BASED WEEKLY TEST (ENG & HINDI)

CLICK HERE FOR GS TIMES PRAHAR UPSC MAINS TEST SERIES 

CLICK HERE: DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS QUIZ (FOR ALL EXAMINATIONS)