Growth factors improve neurogenesis and outcome after focal  cerebral ischemia.
Stem cells have been proposed as a new form of cell-based therapy in a variety of disorders, including acute and degenerative brain diseases. Endogenous neural stem cells (eNSC) reside in the subventricular zone and in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus. eNSC are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into functional glia and neurons. Unfortunately, spontaneous brain regeneration is inefficient for clinically significant improvement following brain injury. However, eNSC responses may be augmented considerably by perturbing the pathways governing cell proliferation, migration and differentiation by application of exogenous growth factors. Importantly, current evidence suggests that such perturbations may lead to better functional outcome after stroke. This article summarizes the progress made in this field.
Leker
Ronen Robert
RR
Stroke Service and the Peritz and Chantal Scheinberg Cerebrovascular Research Laboratory, Department of Neurology, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical Center, Hadassah Ein Kerem, Jerusalem, Israel. leker@cc.huji.ac.il
Lasri
Valeri
V
Chernoguz
David
D
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins