First Steps Towards Spinal Cord Reconstruction Following Injury Using
Stem Cells
ScienceDaily (Nov. 13, 2007) — A new study has identified what may be
a pivotal first step towards the regeneration of nerve cells
following spinal cord injury, using the body's own stem cells.
This seminal study, published in this week's Proceedings of the
National Academy of Science, identifies key elements in the body's
reaction to spinal injury, critical information that could lead to
novel therapies for repairing previously irreversible nerve damage in
the injured spinal cord.
Very little is known about why, unlike a wound to the skin for
example, the adult nervous system is unable to repair itself
following spinal injury. This is in contrast to the developing brain
and non-mammals which can repair and regenerate after severe
injuries. One clue from these systems has been the role of stem cells
and their potential to develop into different cell types.
"Because of their regenerative role, it is crucial to understand the
movements of stem cells following brain or spinal cord injury," says
Dr. Philip Horner, co-lead investigator and neuroscientist at the
University of Washington. "We know that stem cells are present within
the spinal cord, but it was not known why they could not function to
repair the damage. Surprisingly, we discovered that they actually
migrate away from the lesion and the question became why - what
signal is telling the stem cells to move."
The researchers then tested numerous proteins and identified netrin-1
as the key molecule responsible for this migratory pattern of stem
cells following injury. In the developing nervous system, netrin-1
acts as a repulsive or attractive signal, guiding nerve cells to
their proper targets. In the adult spinal cord, the researchers found
that netrin-1 specifically repels stem cells away from the injury
site, thereby preventing stem cells from replenishing nerve cells.
"When we block netrin-1 function, the adult stem cells remain at the
injury site," says Dr. Tim Kennedy, co-lead investigator and
neuroscientist at the Montreal Neurological Institute of McGill
University. "This is a critical first step towards understanding the
molecular events needed to repair the injured spinal cord and
provides us with new targets for potential therapies."
This study was funded by the Craig H Nielsen Foundation and the
National Institutes of Health.
Adapted from materials provided by Montreal Neurological Institute
and Hospital.
http://www.medicaln
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StemCells subscribers may also be interested in these sites:
Children's Neurobiological Solutions
http://www.CNSfoundation.org/
Cord Blood Registry
http://www.CordBlood.com/at.cgi?a=150123
The CNS Healing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CNS_Healing
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