MultiStem multipotent adult progenitor cell therapy preserves 'blood brain barrier'

Athersys, Inc. (Nasdaq:ATHX) announced today the publication of a key study in the October issue of Experimental Neurology conducted by researchers at Athersys, the University of Texas Medical School, the Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Science and Biomedical Devices, and Texas A&M University. This study demonstrates that intravenous injection of MultiStem^®, Athersys' multipotent adult progenitor stem cell therapy product, provides neurovascular protection after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an established preclinical model of brain injury. The publication outlines how the administration of MultiStem enabled the preservation of the "blood brain barrier", and also reduced the effects and extent of the brain injury.

"Our results indicate that multipotent adult progenitor cells could provide multiple benefits in the context of neurological injury," said Charles S. Cox, Jr., M.D., Children's Fund, Inc. Distinguished Professor of Pediatric Surgery and Director of Pediatric Trauma Program at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston and co-author of the study. "The idea that the administration of MultiStem after a traumatic brain injury could potentially act to modulate the body's systemic immunologic and inflammatory response via other organ systems is both exciting and groundbreaking."

The paper, "Intravenous multipotent adult progenitor cell therapy for traumatic brain injury: Preserving the blood brain barrier via an interaction with splenocytes," describes a series of preclinical in vivo and in vitro experiments evaluating the effect of intravenous injection of MultiStem on neurovascular protection after traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injury causes a reduction in splenic mass that correlates with an increase in circulating immune cells, that subsequently leads to increased blood brain barrier permeability, thereby worsening the neurological deficit associated with the injury. As outlined in the publication, the findings showed that the intravenous injection of MultiStem preserved splenic mass and the integrity of the blood brain barrier, which in turn, can potentially reduce the neurobehavioral deficit associated with traumatic brain injury.

"This study provides further validation of MultiStem as an allogeneic adult stem cell therapy with broad potential therapeutic value for the treatment of a variety of conditions, and corresponds with findings from our other studies in other neurological areas," said Gil Van Bokkelen, Ph.D., CEO of Athersys.  "MultiStem's multiple modes of action, consistent safety profile, and potential for off-the-shelf administration, represents a significant opportunity to help treat serious and life-threatening diseases, including ischemic injury, conditions involving the immune system, and certain types of trauma.  We look forward to further exploring the clinical utility of MultiStem across various indications, and advancing key programs."

Traumatic brain injury is the cause for more than 50,000 deaths in the U.S. each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC also estimates that there are 275,000 hospitalizations for moderate to severe traumatic brain injury and nearly 1.4 million emergency room visits for mild traumatic brain injuries each year, accounting for almost a third of all emergency room visits. These injuries yield significant direct and indirect medical costs - an estimated $60 billion in the U.S. alone, according to the CDC's website.