Scientists Convert Human Skin Cells Directly Into Brain Cells

Using a finely tuned cocktail of small molecules, researchers from Washington University in St. Louishave successfully converted adult skin cells into the major type of brain cell affected in the fatal neurodegenerative disorder Huntington ’s disease. For the first time, this was achieved without the need to go through a stem cell intermediate, avoiding the production of other types of cell. Importantly, when the researchers transplanted these cells into the brains of mice, they survived and showed similar properties to native cells . While it is still in the early days, these preliminary results could suggest that in the future, this technique may be developed further to help patients with Huntington ’s. The work has been published in Neuron.Huntington ’s disease is an inherited brain disorder that causes the progressive degeneration of nerve cells, or neurons. This disease predominantly affects a type of cell called medium spiny neurons (MSNs), which are crucial for movement control. As they are gradually lost in the brain, the patient experiences involuntary muscle movements and cognitive decline. While there is currently no cure, a future possible treatment avenue could involve replacing the lost cells in the brain. But first, researchers need to work out a way to not only produce these cells, but also to ensure they are not rejected by the patient, which is what the Washington University scientists are working towards.Previous work by ...
Source: Oncopathology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Tags: Research Source Type: blogs