title: Stem cell models of polyglutamine diseases and their use in cell-based therapies.
abstract: Polyglutamine diseases are fatal neurological disorders that affect the central nervous system. They are caused by mutations in disease genes that contain CAG trinucleotide expansions in their coding regions. These mutations are translated into expanded glutamine chains in pathological proteins. Mutant proteins induce cytotoxicity, form intranuclear aggregates and cause neuronal cell death in specific brain regions. At the moment there is no cure for these diseases and only symptomatic treatments are available. Here, we discuss novel therapeutic approaches that aim in neuronal cell replacement using induced pluripotent or adult stem cells. Additionally, we present the beneficial effect of genetically engineered mesenchymal stem cells and their use as disease models or RNAi/gene delivery vehicles. In combination with their paracrine and cell-trophic properties, such cells may prove useful for the development of novel therapies against polyglutamine diseases.
authors.affiliation: Biohellenika Biotechnology Company Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Evangelia K
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Siska
authors.affiliation: Biohellenika Biotechnology Company Thessaloniki, Greece ; Laboratory of Biochemistry, AHEPA University Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Koliakos
authors.affiliation: Biohellenika Biotechnology Company Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Spyros
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Petrakis
keywords: cell model; mesenchymal stem cells; neurodegeneration; polyglutamine; transplantation