Prospects and Limitations of Using Endogenous Neural Stem Cells for Brain Regeneration

Genes

Naoko Kaneko¹  Eisuke Kako¹ 

[1] Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan;

关键词: subventricular zone;    neuronal migration;    regenerative medicine;    neuronal regeneration;    remyelination;   

DOI  :  10.3390/genes2010107

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are capable of producing a variety of neural cell types, and are indispensable for the development of the mammalian brain. NSCs can be induced in vitro from pluripotent stem cells, including embryonic stem cells and induced-pluripotent stem cells. Although the transplantation of these exogenous NSCs is a potential strategy for improving presently untreatable neurological conditions, there are several obstacles to its implementation, including tumorigenic, immunological, and ethical problems. Recent studies have revealed that NSCs also reside in the adult brain. The endogenous NSCs are activated in response to disease or trauma, and produce new neurons and glia, suggesting they have the potential to regenerate damaged brain tissue while avoiding the above-mentioned problems. Here we present an overview of the possibility and limitations of using endogenous NSCs in regenerative medicine.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.