Scientists at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research have been successful to convert genetically programmed embryonic stem cells into nerve cells when transplanted into the brain. The study is expected to be the next big step in treatments for stroke, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions. The study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience showed that mice afflicted by stroke showed tangible therapeutic improvement following transplantation of these cells.

The lead author of the study, Stuart A. Lipton, M.D., Ph.D., says,

We found that we could create new nerve cells from stem cells, transplant them effectively and make a positive difference in the behavior of the mice. These findings could potentially lead to new treatments for stroke and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease.

This is the first successful research of that kind. Prior to that creating pure neuronal cells from embryonic stem cells (ES) had been problematic as the cells did not always differentiate into neurons. Sometimes they became glial cells, which lack many of the neurons’ desirable properties. Even when the neuronal cells were created successfully, they often died in the brain following transplant, a process called programmed cell death or apoptosis. In addition, the cells would sometimes become tumors.

Dr. Lipton solved these problems by inducing ES cells to express a protein, discovered in his laboratory called myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C). MEF2C is a transcription factor that turns on specific genes which then drive stem cells to become nerve cells. Using MEF2C, the researchers created colonies of pure neuronal progenitor cells, a stage of development that occurs before becoming a nerve cell, with no tumors. These cells were then transplanted into the brain and later became adult nerve cells. MEF2C also protected the cells from apoptosis once inside the brain.

The work was supported in part by National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants and a Senior Scholar Award in Aging Research from the Ellison Medical Foundation.

Source: Science Daily