Four spinal cord injury (SCI) research studies have been backed by a combined £1million, in the first grants to be made jointly by the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and International Spinal Research Trust.
The research studies are targeted at restoring neural/motor function primarily through novel circuit formation in chronic, traumatic SCI.
The jointly funded grants are the first for the Reeve-ISRT collaborative alliance, established earlier last year to focus on fast-tracking SCI therapies using combinatorial interventions, innovative protocols and broad stakeholder engagement.
Each project is awarded up to $330,000 (around £250,000) over two or three years, and will publicly share data resulting from the research on a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) platform.
The selection process was led by a Steering Committee and Scientific Review Board comprised of international experts in the field and individuals living with spinal cord injury.
“Uniting the brightest minds in the field as they work to translate breakthroughs and deliver real-world therapies is the core of our approach to funding cures for SCI and paralysis,” said Maggie Goldberg, president and CEO of the Reeve Foundation.
“Our alliance with ISRT is a model of the collaborative, global commitment required of the field to make cures possible.
“These first projects are a vital step toward meaningful therapeutics, and we’re excited to support this work.”
Harvey Sihota, chief executive of ISRT, added: “Accelerating the delivery of meaningful therapeutics is at the heart of our strategic alliance with the Reeve Foundation.
“These exciting translational awards are a first joint step on the journey towards the repair and restoration of the spinal cord.”
Each of the supported studies focus on delivering the translational research required to restore function primarily through novel circuit formation in chronic traumatic SCI.
- Dr Chris West, University of British Columbia
Previous research in humans with SCI has shown that daily intermittent hypoxia exposure – exposure to short, repeated periods of low oxygen, interspersed with exposure to normal oxygen – can contribute to improved breathing capacity, arm and leg function. These functional improvements are thought to occur because substances released during intermittent hypoxia may strengthen connections between the remaining nerves in the spinal cord. Low blood pressure can significantly impact individuals with SCI, causing decreased concentration, fatigue and productivity, as well as impacting long-term cardiovascular health. In this study, Dr. West will investigate intermittent hypoxia to improve low blood pressure in pre-clinical models of SCI, a novel application of this promising intervention.
- Dr Karim Fouad, University of Alberta
Rehabilitative training is one of the best-known interventions for maximising function in individuals with SCI. Post-injury, the nervous system enters an adaptive state, helping the body respond to training when initiated shortly after injury. However, this adaptive state declines over time, with a plateau in functional gains. This study will build on recently reported data that showed the adaptive state is potentially linked to trauma-induced inflammation. The current study will seek to understand the specific component(s) of the inflammation that is responsible for beneficial effects and find a more targeted and clinically useful treatment to “reopen” the rehabilitation window, extending the time period during which gains may occur.
- Dr Molly Shoichet, University of Toronto
In this study, Prof Schoichet, a biomedical engineer, will use a more stable version of the scar degrading enzyme, called ChASE37-AR to determine the optimal method and material to deliver the enzyme for sustained penetration in the spinal cord. She will then apply the results of these findings in more clinically relevant models, moving chondroitinase applications closer to translation in persons with spinal cord injury.
- Dr Michael Fehlings, University of Toronto
Following SCI, damaged axons have limited ability to regenerate. As noted, a dense scar forms around the area of spinal cord damage and the environment is toxic, creating even more barriers to regeneration. In this study, Dr. Fehlings will use four strategies to address these challenges: 1) engineered stem cells to promote repair and regeneration, 2) the engineered cells will secrete an enzyme to degrade the dense scar (Ch’ABC), 3) the cells will also secrete a growth factor to provide a supportive environment for stem cell integration, 4) rehabilitation will be used to support functional connections from regenerating axons.
