Researchers at New York City-based Weill Cornell Medicine and Hospital for Special Surgery identified stem cells that give rise to tendons and ligaments and found that their overactivity may contribute to lumbar spinal stenosis.
The researchers identified the stem cells in mice and found a human equivalent in ligament samples. The human cells could self-renew and produce ligament cells, and researchers found the cells in tissues including the Achilles tendon and kneecap ligament, according to a Sept. 7 news release.
People with lumbar spinal stenosis had higher numbers of the stem cells in their spinal ligaments than people with herniated discs without stenosis. The stenosis-associated cells also showed higher calcium signaling.
Reducing calcium signaling blocked tissue overgrowth in a mouse model of lumbar spinal stenosis. The findings suggest calcium channel blockers currently used to treat high blood pressure could potentially be repurposed for spinal stenosis, though clinical studies are needed.
The study was published Sept. 7 in Cell.
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