Gene and Cell Replacement via Neural Stem Cells.
10.3349/ymj.2004.45.Suppl.32
- Author:
Hyoung Tai KIM
1
;
Il Sun KIM
;
Seung Eun LIM
;
Il Shin LEE
;
Kook In PARK
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics and Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kipark@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Neural stem cells;
cell replacement;
gene therapy;
neurologic disorders
- MeSH:
Animals;
Gene Therapy/*methods;
Gene Transfer Techniques;
Humans;
Nerve Tissue/*cytology;
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't;
*Stem Cell Transplantation;
Stem Cells/*metabolism/physiology
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2004;45(Suppl):S32-S40
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are operationally defined by their ability to self-renew, to differentiate into cells of all glial and neuronal lineages throughout the neuraxis, and to populate developing or degenerating central nervous system (CNS) regions. Thus their use as graft material can be considered analogous to hematopoietic stem cell-mediated reconstitution and gene transfer. The recognition that NSCs propagated in culture could be reimplanted into mammalian brain, where they might integrate appropriately throughout the mammalian CNS and stably express foreign genes, has unveiled a new role for neural transplantation and gene therapy and a possible strategy for addressing the CNS manifestations of diseases that heretofore had been refractory to intervention. NSCs additionally have the appealing ability to home in on pathology, even over great distances. Such observations help to advance the idea that NSCs - as a prototype for stem cells from other solid organs - might aid in reconstructing the molecular and cellular milieu of maldeveloped or damaged CNS.
