SRH-19 addresses one of the largest medical markets in the U.S., that is, the problem of central nervous system (CNS) regeneration - especially spinal cord injury. The costs of spinal cord injury in the U.S. are estimated at $8 billion annually.
SRH-19 is a modified form of SeaStat™ that has demonstrated remarkable properties in a tissue culture model of neuron regeneration. Fish, unlike humans, can regenerate much of their central nervous system, including the spinal cord. Recent research has shown that SRH-19 dramatically improved neurite outgrowth from mouse spinal cord neurons compared to mammalian gels. Similar results were obtained with human neural stem cells. These cells offer great promise as therapy for diseases such as Parkinson's Disease and for brain or spinal cord injury. However, for therapeutic use, growing the cells in an appropriate biocompatible substrate is very important.
Recent work at the Reeve-Irvine Center, University of California, University of Pennsylvania, and Walter Reed Army Institute of Research has demonstrated the efficacy of salmon fibrin for CNS repair in vivo. Rats with spinal cord injury (SCI) treated with salmon fibrin show dramatic functional recovery. In other animal trials of SCI and traumatic brain injury (TBI), salmon fibrin has decreased axonal degeneration, neuroinflammation, and glial scarring while promoting neuron growth.
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Fig. 1: Neurite outgrowth is enhanced in fish fibrin gels
For a larger chart and description, follow this link.
Fig. 2: Human neural Stem Cells (Hoechst stained nuclei) in Fibrin Gels (day 6)
For a larger chart and description, follow this link.
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