Stem cells show potential for brain damage repair

Date: Jun-05-2014A new study suggests a mechanism to get bone marrow stem cells to differentiate into

brain cells. If the proposed method proves to be viable, it could lead to ways of generating new

brain cell populations for repairing brain damage.

Rachel Okolicsanyi, of Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane, Australia, and

colleagues report their study in the journal Developmental Biology.

Unlike other cells of the body that can divide and replicate, once most types of brain cells

die, the resulting neural damage is thought to be irreversible. Finding a way to generate new

populations of brain cells would be a considerable breakthrough.

At the Genomics Research Centre of QUT's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Ms.

Okolicsanyi is investigating whether or not bone marrow stem cells have the potential to

differentiate or mature into brain cells.

In the study, she and her colleagues review the current literature and focus on a particular

family of cell proteins that she believes can be manipulated to ensure the bone marrow stem cells

differentiate into brain cells, as opposed to various other cells they are normally fated to

become, as Ms. Okolicsanyi explains:

"What we are hoping is that by manipulating this particular family of proteins we can encourage

the stem cells to show a higher percentage of neural markers indicating that they could mature

into neural cells rather than what they would normally do, which is form into bone, cartilage and

fat."

The family of proteins that Ms. Okolicsanyi's research is looking at is the heparin sulfate

proteoglycans, which sit on the surface of all cells.

Stem cells could reroute brain circuits, bypassing those damaged by stroke

The work of the study has helped her and her team decide what to do next. "We will manipulate

these cells by modifying the surrounding environment," she says. "For example, we will add

chemicals such as complex salts and other commonly found biological chemicals to feed these cells,

and this will either inhibit or encourage cellular processes."

The researchers are looking into ways of coaxing bone marrow stem cells to differentiate into brain cells, potentially helping stroke patients.

They will then observe how the stem cells react to these various chemicals and see which ones

in particular increase or decrease the cells' neural markers.

Ultimately, she hopes it will be possible to introduce stem cells into the brain and there

manipulate them to repair damaged brain cells.

For example, in stroke patients who lose movement, speech or control of one side of their face

- which results from damage to electrical circuits in the brain - introducing stem cells could

generate new brain cells that reroute the circuits, bypassing the damaged cells.

Medical News Today recently learned about a team of scientists that reported using

low-power lasers to coax stem cells

to regenerate dentin in teeth. The Harvard-led team expects the discovery to lead to a wealth

of new clinical applications for regenerating bones and teeth, healing wounds and more.

Written by Catharine Paddock PhD

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Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.