Bone Marrow Stem Cells Become CNS Cells

The results were reported in the December 2002 issue of Experimental Neurology.

Researchers were able to transfer specific genes into neural stem cells, using modified viruses as transporters. The new cells expressed the proteins that had been encoded and established that the stem cells were capable of differentiating into astrocytes, neurons, and oligodendroglia. The process involved several steps. Whole bone marrow cells were cultured, resulting in the generation of "spheres” that were similar to neurospheres grown from neural stem cells. The bone marrow spheres were then differentiated into both neurons and glia.

The long-term objective of the study is to determine if these neural stem cells can be transplanted to treat stroke, brain tumors, and neurodegenerative disorders. If so, doctors would have a renewable source of neural progenitor cells, available from a patient's bone marrow instead of the brain, and without the ethical and tissue-rejection issues associated with the use of fetal stem cells.

The research was conducted at the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center (Los Angeles, CA, USA). Related studies have also shown that neural stem cells are capable of tracking brain tumor cells as they spread. "In our research, neural progenitor cells could clearly be seen tracking pockets of tumor cells that were migrating away from the main tumor mass,” said John S. Yu, M.D., senior author of the study.




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