Reprogramming Astrocytes into Neurons Enhances Stroke Recovery in Mice

Reprogramming cells in order to change their cell type directly has shown some promise in animal studies as a way to generate new neurons in the brain, enabling regeneration. There are many more supporting cells in the brain, various types collectively known as glial cells, than there are neurons. These supporting cells are somewhat more fungible and replaceable, as they are not storing the data of the mind. A gene therapy that turns some small percentage of glial cells into neurons capable of integrating into existing neural circuits could prove to have numerous advantages over the cell therapy approach of growing patient-matched neurons and introducing them into the brain. Logistically, it should be considerable easier, for one. It may also turn out to be more effective, given the challenges inherent in keeping transplanted cells alive for any meaningful length of time following treatment. Stem cell transplantation has emerged as a promising regenerative therapy for stroke due to its potential for repairing damaged brain structures and improving functional recovery. However, cell transplantation therapies face multiple obstacles including the hosts' immune systems, poor transplanted cell survival, inappropriate migration/homing and differentiation, and the lack of specificity or integration into endogenous brain networks. Some clinical trials have also reported inconsistent results in the efficacy of cell transplantation therapies. Resident astrocytes in the...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs