ALS model glia can mediate toxicity to motor neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells.
In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Di Giorgio et al. (2008) and Marchetto et al. (2008) culture motor neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells with astrocytes expressing mutant SOD1. In these human ALS models, motor neurons are selectively destroyed by mutant astrocyte-secreted factors, and potential neuroprotective pathways are revealed.
Hedlund
Eva
E
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Karolinska Institute, Nobelsv 3, 171 77 Stockholm, Sweden. eva.hedlund@licr.ki.se
Isacson
Ole
O
D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1
C000606290:SOD1 protein, human; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000072105:Superoxide Dismutase-1