Stem cell-based cell replacement strategies for the central nervous system.
During human development, cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass proliferate and give rise to each cell in the human body. It is that potential which focuses intense interest on these stem cells as a substrate for cell-based regenerative medicine. An increased understanding of the interrelation of processes that govern the formation of various cell types will allow for the directed differentiation of stem cells into specified cells or tissues that can ameliorate the effects of disease or damage. Perhaps the most difficult cells and tissues to derive for use in cell replacement strategies are the diverse neurons, glia and complex networks of the central nervous system (CNS). Here we present emerging perspectives on the development of neuronal and glial cells from stem cells for clinical application to CNS diseases and injury.
Reeve-Irvine Research Center, Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, School of Medicine, 2111 Gillespie Neuroscience Research Facility, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4292, United States.
Jason
J
Sharp
Hans S
HS
Keirstead
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D009457:Neuroglia / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D044968:Regenerative Medicine; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology