RESEARCH: Review of stem cell research research in ALS

[Guest guest]

Stem cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases: the

issue of transdifferentiation.

Cova L, Ratti A, Volta M, Fogh I, Cardin V, Corbo M,

Silani V.

Department of Neurology and Laboratory of

Neuroscience, Dino Ferrari Center, University of Milan

Medical School, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano,

Milan, Italy.

In the past few years research on stem cells has

exploded as a tool to develop potential therapies to

treat incurable neurodegenerative diseases. Stem cell

transplantation has been effective in several animal

models, but the underlying restorative mechanisms are

still unknown. Several events such as cell fusion,

neurotrophic factor release, endogenous stem cell

proliferation, and transdifferentiation (adult cell

acquisition of new unexpected identities) may explain

therapeutic success, in addition to replacement of

lost cells. This issue needs to be clarified further

to maximize the potential for effective therapies.

Preliminary stem transplantation trials have already

been performed for some neurodegenerative diseases.

There is no effective pharmacological treatment for

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, but recent preliminary

data both in experimental and clinical settings have

targeted it as an ideal candidate disease for the

development of stem cell therapy in humans. This

review summarizes recent advances gained in stem cell

research applied to neurodegenerative diseases with a

special emphasis to the criticisms put forward.

SOURCE: Stem Cells Dev. 2004 Feb;13(1):121-31.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

5068700 & dopt=Abstract