A new study underscores
the promise of adult stem cells for changing into other
useful cell types. The results, published online this
week by the Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences, reveal that transplanted bone marrow cells
can migrate to a recipient's brain and transform into
neurons.
Previous research had indicated that stem
cells isolated from adult bone marrow could be coaxed to
turn into neurons in a petri dish. In addition, other
findings had shown that transplanted bone marrow cells
in mice could travel to the brain and differentiate into
neurons. In the new work, Éva Mezey of the National
Institutes of Health and her colleagues analyzed brain
samples from four human females who had received bone
marrow transplants from male donors before they died.
The scientists looked in the brain tissue for cells that
contained a Y chromosome and thus must have come from
the male donors. As it turns out, all four patients had
such cells. Most of these were support cells known as
glia, and other nonneuronal cells. A small number of the
Y-chromosome-containing cells in each woman were
neurons, however. "This study shows that some kind of
cell in bone marrow, most likely a stem cell, has the
capacity to enter the brain and form neurons," Mezey
says. The male-derived cells were found in clumps,
suggesting that a single bone marrow stem-cell may
migrate to an area in need before differentiating into a
number of cell types, the scientists offer.
The findings hold promise for possible
future treatments for neurological disorders from a
noncontroversial source--a patient's own bone marrow.
But much research remains to be done. Because the
patient with the greatest number of bone-marrow derived
neurons had survived the longest after her transplant
(and was also the youngest recipient), it is unclear
which factors determine how many neurons can be
generated by bone-marrow stem cells. Further clouding
the issue is the fact that adult stem cells have been
shown in some cases to fuse with previously
differentiated cells instead of forming entirely new
cells. Although Mezey and her colleagues did not find
any evidence of fusion (namely cells with four sex
chromosomes instead of two) the possibility cannot yet
be ruled out. "These studies are very much the
beginning," Mezey says, "but scientists should start to
look down this road and find out if and how we can go
further." -- Sarah Graha
Web link
Scientific America
The
statements enclosed herein have not been evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration. The products mentioned
on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure,
or prevent any disease. Information and statements made
are for education purposes and are not intended to
replace the advice of your family doctor.
Home |
Privacy Policy |
Disclaimer
|
Contact Us
There are still more places to
visit on MicroWaterWoman.com
Product Categories:
Far Infrared |
Exercise
|
Sleep Aid
| Water
Filtration
|
Air Filtration
| Test Kits
|
Supplements
|
Health
Books
| EMF
Protection |
Juicers
|
Skin Care
|
Emergency Products
Internet
Partners
Home |
Privacy Policy |
Return
Policy |
Disclaimer
|
Contact Us
Copyright 2011-2013, MicroWaterWoman.com, All Rights Reserved
Reduce Electric Bill & EMF Pollution
