New Stem Cell Discovery Offers Drug Target for Common Spine Disorder
Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have identified a specific stem cell population responsible for generating tendons and ligaments, finding that these cells become overactive in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. By targeting calcium signaling pathways in these cells, scientists successfully blocked tissue overgrowth in mouse models, suggesting that existing blood pressure medications could potentially be repurposed to treat this widespread condition without surgery.
