Gene and cell replacement via neural stem cells.
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are operationally defined by their ability to self-renew, to differentiate into cells of all glial and neuronal lineages throughout the neuraxis, and to populate developing or degenerating central nervous system (CNS) regions. Thus their use as graft material can be considered analogous to hematopoietic stem cell-mediated reconstitution and gene transfer. The recognition that NSCs propagated in culture could be reimplanted into mammalian brain, where they might integrate appropriately throughout the mammalian CNS and stably express foreign genes, has unveiled a new role for neural transplantation and gene therapy and a possible strategy for addressing the CNS manifestations of diseases that heretofore had been refractory to intervention. NSCs additionally have the appealing ability to home in on pathology, even over great distances. Such observations help to advance the idea that NSCs--as a prototype for stem cells from other solid organs--might aid in reconstructing the molecular and cellular milieu of maldeveloped or damaged CNS.
Kim
Hyoung-Tai
HT
Department of Pediatrics and Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Il-Sun
IS
Lim
Seung-Eun
SE
Lee
Il-Shin
IS
Park
Kook In
KI
D000818:Animals; D018014:Gene Transfer Techniques; D015316:Genetic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009417:Nerve Tissue / Q000166:cytology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology