Treating spinal cord injuries with mRNA — a study by researchers at the University of Szeged

At the University of Szeged, several mRNA-based research projects are being carried out with the support of the Hungarian Nobel Prize winner, Katalin Karikó. One of these projects is the research conducted at the Laboratory of Neural Regeneration, Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology. The research could possibly lay the foundation for the treatment of spinal cord injuries with mRNA therapy.

Spinal cord injury is followed by an inflammatory process that kills healthy cells in the vicinity of the injury. The time factor is very important because by the time a patient is diagnosed and receives treatment, their condition may have deteriorated further. The Laboratory of Neural Regeneration led by Prof. Antal Nógrádi, MD, is looking for a solution to halt this negative process, reduce inflammation and prevent further damage. Therapeutic options for spinal cord injuries are being investigated and for years, they have been experimenting with stem cells. After implanting stem cells in rats, they have found out which anti-inflammatory proteins they produce. Recently, a new method, mRNA technology, has been used to produce anti-inflammatory proteins within the damaged spinal cord.