Abstract
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a life-altering event that can result in irreversible disabilities but there is currently no cure for the nerve tissue damage associated with SCIs. Stem cell therapy has been proposed as an alternative treatment plan for SCIs. Numerous clinical and experimental studies have shown positive results using stem cells. We have successfully used placenta-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (PMSCs) as a therapy in an ovine model of myelomeningocele, a congenital form of SCI. PMSCs are currently cultured in a growth medium containing fetal bovine serum. But, to limit the risk of any zoonotic transmissions, we propose a serum-free based expansion of PMSCs using two commercially available serum-free media, Human Platelet Lysate (PLT) and Stem Pro for the treatment of acquired SCIs.