wildwilly
07-25-2010, 08:46 AM
Hum Mol Genet. 2010 Jul 22.
Systemic transplantation of c-kit+ cells exerts a therapeutic effect in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Corti S, Nizzardo M, Nardini M, Donadoni C, Salani S, Simone C, Falcone M, Riboldi G, Govoni A, Bresolin N, Comi GP.
Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Milan, IRCCS Foundation Ca'Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan; Italy.
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons. Motor neuron degeneration is likely both a cell autonomous and a non-autonomous event. Therefore, manipulating the diseased microenvironment via non-neural cell replacement could be a therapeutic strategy. We investigated a cell therapy approach using intravascular injection to transplant a specific population of c-kit-positive stem/progenitor cells from bone marrow into the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. Transplanted cells engrafted within the host spinal cord. Cell transplantation significantly prolonged disease duration and lifespan in SOD1 mice, promoted the survival of motor neurons, and improved neuromuscular function. Neuroprotection was mediated by multiple effects, in particular by the expression of primary astrocyte glutamate transporter GLT1 and by the non-mutant genome. These findings suggest that this type of somatic cell transplantation strategy merits further investigation as a possible effective therapy for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20650960
Systemic transplantation of c-kit+ cells exerts a therapeutic effect in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Corti S, Nizzardo M, Nardini M, Donadoni C, Salani S, Simone C, Falcone M, Riboldi G, Govoni A, Bresolin N, Comi GP.
Dino Ferrari Centre, Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Milan, IRCCS Foundation Ca'Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan; Italy.
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor neurons. Motor neuron degeneration is likely both a cell autonomous and a non-autonomous event. Therefore, manipulating the diseased microenvironment via non-neural cell replacement could be a therapeutic strategy. We investigated a cell therapy approach using intravascular injection to transplant a specific population of c-kit-positive stem/progenitor cells from bone marrow into the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS. Transplanted cells engrafted within the host spinal cord. Cell transplantation significantly prolonged disease duration and lifespan in SOD1 mice, promoted the survival of motor neurons, and improved neuromuscular function. Neuroprotection was mediated by multiple effects, in particular by the expression of primary astrocyte glutamate transporter GLT1 and by the non-mutant genome. These findings suggest that this type of somatic cell transplantation strategy merits further investigation as a possible effective therapy for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20650960