Stem Cells in CNS Injury Research

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Overview

The Stem Cells in CNS Injury research team is evaluating the use of mesenchymal stem cells and dental pulp stem cells for neural and ocular repair. The group encompasses research groups from across the University of Birmingham, with a common interest in all aspects of stem cells, tissue engineering, repair and regeneration and the development of their therapeutic and biotechnological potential.

Our research

The Stem Cells in CNS Injury research team carries out translational research linked with the activity of the University of Birmingham Stem Cell Centre. Our lab uses in vivo and in vitro models that have been developed to mimic the pathophysiological changes seen in neural injury and disease.

Our research is cross-disciplinary and links in areas such as Medicine, Dentistry, Immunology, Imaging, Bioengineering and Chemistry.

Projects

  • Evaluating the therapeutic potential of dental pulp stem cells for retinal repair – Ben Mead BBSRC funded project
  • Neurogenic potential of mesenchymal stem cells – Nicholas Drinkall BBSRC funded project
  • Olfactory ensheathing cells in spinal cord injury - Graham Flint

Research Team

Principal Investigator

Professor Tony Belli - Professor of Trauma Neurosurgery, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing

Honorary Staff 

Dr Graham Flint - University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust, UK

Internal Collaborators

Dr Ben Scheven - Senior Lecturer in Oral Cell Biology, School of Dentistry, Institute of Clinical Sciences
Professor Phil Newsome - Professor of Experimental Hepatology, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy
Professor Jon Frampton - Professor of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy

Publications

Mead B, Logan A, Berry M, Leadbeater W and Scheven BA (2016) Dental Pulp Stem Cells: A Novel Cell Therapy for Retinal and Central Nervous System Repair. Stem Cells [Epub ahead of print]

Mead B, Hill LJ, Blanch RJ, Ward K, Logan A, Berry M, Leadbeater W and Scheven BA (2016) Mesenchymal stromal cell-mediated neuroprotection and functional preservation of retinal ganglion cells in a rodent model of glaucoma. Cytotherapy 18(4):487-96

Hill LJ, Mead B, Blanch RJ, Ahmed Z, De Cogan F, Morgan-Warren PJ, Mohamed S, Leadbeater W, Scott RA, Berry M and Logan A (2015) Decorin Reduces Intraocular Pressure and Retinal Ganglion Cell Loss in Rodents Through Fibrolysis of the Scarred Trabecular Meshwork. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 56(6):3743-57

Mead B and Scheven BA (2015) Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for retinal ganglion cell neuroprotection and axon regeneration. Neural Regen Res 10(3):371-3

Mead B, Berry M, Logan A, Scott RA, Leadbeater W and Scheven BA (2015) Stem cell treatment of degenerative eye disease. Stem Cell Res 14(3):243-57

Mead B, Thompson A, Scheven BA, Logan A, Berry M and Leadbeater W (2014) Comparative evaluation of methods for estimating retinal ganglion cell loss in retinal sections and wholemounts. PLoS One 9(10):e110612

Mead B, Logan A, Berry M, Leadbeater W and Scheven BA (2014) Paracrine-mediated neuroprotection and neuritogenesis of axotomised retinal ganglion cells by human dental pulp stem cells: comparison with human bone marrow and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. PLoS One 9(10):e109305

Mead B, Logan A, Berry M, Leadbeater W and Scheven BA (2014) Dental pulp stem cells, a paracrine-mediated therapy for the retina. Neural Regen Res 9(6):577-8

Mead B, Logan A, Berry M, Leadbeater W and Scheven BA (2013) Intravitreally transplanted dental pulp stem cells promote neuroprotection and axon regeneration of retinal ganglion cells after optic nerve injury. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 54(12):7544-56

Funding Bodies