This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Azizi, S. A. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Azizi, S. A. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Exploiting Nonneural Cells to Rebuild the Nervous System: From Bone Marrow to Brain

Department of Neurology and Center for Gene Therapy, MCP-Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sa34{at}drexel.edu

Bone marrow, in addition to hematopoietic precursors, contains cells that are considered stem cells of nonhematopoietic tissues. These cells are referred to as marrow stromal cells or mesenchymal stem cells. Marrow stromal cells, because of their ability to survive, integrate, and migrate within the central nervous system, can be used as an alternative source of cells for neural transplantation and repair. They can be expanded rapidly in culture and can be induced to express markers of neural cells. Moreover, implanted into the developing brain, these cells can integrate without disrupting the host brain architecture and can assume the fate of neural cells. They can be genetically transduced and can elaborate transgene products. Because large numbers of stromal cells can be obtained from small aspirates of bone marrow, these cells are potentially useful for treating a variety of neurological diseases.

Key Words: Neural transplantation • Gene therapy • Stem cells • Bone marrow stromal cells • Mesenchymal stem cells

The Neuroscientist, Vol. 6, No. 5, 353-361 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/107385840000600509


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?