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Natural growth factor regenerates nerve fibers, study says
BOSTON — A naturally occurring growth factor, called oncomodulin, stimulates regeneration of injured nerve fibers, according to researchers at Children’s Hospital Boston.
Yuqin Yin, MD, PhD, and Larry Benowitz, PhD, added oncomodulin to retinal nerve cells in a Petri dish. When known growth-producing factors were also present, axon growth “nearly doubled,” according to a press release.
“In live rats with optic nerve injury, oncomodulin released from tiny sustained-release capsules increased nerve regeneration five- to sevenfold when given along with a drug that helps cells respond to oncomodulin,” the release said.
Oncomodulin “could someday prove useful in reversing optic nerve damage caused by glaucoma, tumors or traumatic injury,” Dr. Benowitz said in the release.