Stem cells for GI motility disorders

Currently available therapies for gastrointestinal motility conditions are often inadequate. Recent scientific advances, however, have facilitated the identification of neural stem cells as novel tools for cellular replenishment. Such cells can be generated from a number of tissue sources including the gut itself. Neural stem cells can readily be harvested from postnatal human gut including by conventional endoscopy, and in experimental transplantation studies appear capable of generating a neo-Enteric Nervous System. Current initiatives are addressing pre-clinical proof of concept studies in vivo utilising animal models of disease. Although definitive cell replenishment therapies for gut motility disorders appear to be an exciting and realistic prospect, even in the short-term, a number of challenges remain to be addressed before definitive clinical application.

► Stem cells provide the potential of curative treatments for gut motility disorders.
► Neural stem cells can be sourced from a range of tissues including human gut itself.
► In experimental animal models neural stems can be successfully transplanted.
► Transplanted cells are capable of colonization and appear to rescue gut function.
► Practical challenges need to be overcome before effective clinical application.