Long-term Safety Evaluation of Placental Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for In Utero Repair of Myelomeningocele in a Novel Ovine Model

Three-month safety study in fetal lambs demonstrates that placental mesenchymal stromal cells on extracellular matrix applied directly to spinal cord during in utero myelomeningocele repair show no abnormal tissue growth, no cell persistence, and no adverse effects. Findings support advancing this regenerative approach to clinical trials for prenatal spina bifida repair.