Philip Horner
|
|
|
|
|
A new study has identified what may be a pivotal first step in the regeneration of nerve cells following spinal cord injury, using the body’s own stem cells.
The 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.
Unlike a wound to the skin, very little is known about why the adult nervous system is unable to repair itself following spinal injury.
This is in contrast to the developing brain and non-mammals that 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,” said 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,” said 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.
Contact: Philip Horner, 206-341-7515, phorner@u.washington.edu
Contact: Tim Kennedy, 514-398-6644, timothy.kennedy@mcgill.ca
...
Citation: (Article name, authors,
publication, DOI)
Article or Abstract: (link)
Contact: (link)
Start a free one-week trial
subscription to StemCellResearchNews.com to access
ALL premium
content on this Web site.
Read about research you won't hear about on the nightly news or
on Google.
Click here. (See below for information on why Premium Content is
really worth
it.)
Get the whole story: article citations, links
to further information, links to journal abstract pages, related
articles, researcher contact information, etc.
Or ...
Subscribe
to Stem Cell Lab World, Stem Cell Research News,
Stem Cell Business News for complete access PLUS biweekly
e-mail delivery of a PDF publication you can save on your
computer or print and store in a binder.
FAQ: Why do you charge to read Premium Content ($) articles?
For many years we have provided stem cell-related news and
analysis free of charge on this Web Site, supported by
advertising and subscription income. Unfortunately, in today’s
economy, advertising placements are at an all-time low. That has
forced us (and other publishers) to seek income elsewhere.
Hence, the subscription fees for premium content.
FAQ: What makes Premium Content articles worth the price?
There are seven key reasons:
1) You read about stem cell research you'll never hear about
in the general press, and you'll get the complete article, not just a snippet.
2) Important references are clickable links. (e.g., a
reference to a research institution
or researcher's lab site or more
information about a disease or disorder
are highlighted and clickable as Web links.)
3) Full citations are provided for all journal articles
so you can access the original research.
4) Links to article abstracts are provided.
5) Links to researcher e-mail addresses and lab Web sites
are provided whenever available.
6) Graphic images are provided when available.
7) Links to Related Articles in our database of more than
2,000 stem cell research articles.
Subscribe now!
Click here
to subscribe to a newsletter (including biweekly delivery of PDF
editions PLUS Web site Premium Content) or
click here to
subscribe to the Web site Premium Content only.
 |
