A question of fate.

Mirjana Maletic-Savatic

doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.2002329

Abstract

Ever since the discovery of neural stem cells in the mammalian brain, the possibility of brain tissue regeneration has captured the minds of scientists, clinicians, and the public. Neural stem cells have been envisioned as a source of donor cells for transplantation and vectors for the delivery of gene therapy. Over the past decade, many researchers have contributed to characterizing these cells and their lineages, providing the foundation for their utilization as therapeutic devices. In a new study, Azim and colleagues took a different approach: using pharmacogenomics to focus on neural stem cell lineage, they identified specific compounds that can direct neural stem cell fate toward a specific lineage in vivo, both in physiological and pathological conditions. Their work opens new avenues for treatment of neurodegenerative and demyelinating disorders.

Highlights

Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
Azim and colleagues took a different approach: using pharmacogenomics to focus on neural stem cell lineage, they identified specific compounds that can direct neural stem cell fate toward a specific lineage in vivo, both in physiological and pathological conditions
The discovery that the brain is capable of generating new neurons in adulthood [4] was initially met with vehement skepticism, but that skepticism has given way to hope that neural stem cell (NSC) can be manipulated to replace cells lost to a wide variety of insults [5,6,7,8,9], much like the way other tissue-specific stem cells are being studied for clinical applications

Summary

Introduction

Azim and colleagues took a different approach: using pharmacogenomics to focus on neural stem cell lineage, they identified specific compounds that can direct neural stem cell fate toward a specific lineage in vivo, both in physiological and pathological conditions.

Results

Conclusion