[Olfactory mucosa: a continuous source of neurons].
Experimental transplantation of embryonic nervous cells in the central nervous system demonstrates that these precursor cells can be used to repair damaged cells in neurodegenerative diseases. However, the use of cells from embryos is still controversial and alternative ethically accepted sources are needed to overcome the inherent problems. Several sources have been proposed such as bone marrow cells, olfactory bulb cells and astrocytes. We suggest the use of neuronal precursor cells from the nasal olfactory mucosa as an alternative source for transplantation therapy, since these peripheric cells exhibit stem cell characteristics.
Sacerdote de Lustig
E
E
Departamento de Investigaciones del Instituto de Oncología Angel H. Roffo, Avda. San Martín 5481, 1417 Buenos Aires. invroffo@fmed.uba.ar
Josiowicz
A D
AD
D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000294:innervation; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation