Neural stem cell implantation extends life in Niemann-Pick C1 mice.
In order to evaluate the phenotypic effects of implanted neural stem cells (NSCs) in the mouse model of Niemann-Pick C (NPC) disease, we injected a well-characterized clone of murine NSCs into the cerebella of neonatal Npc1(-/-) and control mice. The implanted cells survived and were abundant in some regions of the cerebellum. Life span was lengthened in NPC mice with the implanted NSCs. However, the rate of weight gain and subsequent weight loss, resulting from neurodegeneration, was not significantly different from un-injected controls. Ataxia was measured by Rota-Rod performance. The overall rate of decline in time on the Rota-Rod was not significantly slowed down. Thus, in this small group of NPC mice, a single administration in the neonatal period of the NSCs (which were not engineered to over-express the missing gene and not directed into the parenchyma) was only partially therapeutic.
University of Arizona, Department of Pediatrics, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, P.O. Box 245073, Tucson, AZ 85724-5073, USA.
Iram
I
Ahmad
Robert E
RE
Hunter
Jonathan D
JD
Flax
Evan Y
EY
Snyder
Robert P
RP
Erickson
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D000077296:Niemann-Pick C1 Protein; D009542:Niemann-Pick Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*
D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D000077296:Niemann-Pick C1 Protein; C106831:Npc1 protein, mouse; D011506:Proteins