Novel sources of stem cells for brain repair

Abstract

Neural cell replacement is a promising strategy for the experimental treatment of a variety of central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and CNS demyelination. In vitro stem cell technology may provide the means to overcome the limited availability of suitable donor cells. Stem cells are able to proliferate extensively and differentiate into multiple cell types, representatives of which can be harnessed for tissue repair. We have described the successful derivation of midbrain dopamine neurons from rodent and human fetal brain precursor cells as well as from mouse embryonic stem cells. Alternative sources of stem cells are being sought to provide an unlimited and autologous tissue source.This paper will compare the suitability of various potential sources of stem cells for brain repair in experimental models of Parkinson's disease. It will also provide criteria for the phenotypic and functional characterization of stem cell derived neurons and present novel findings on the derivation and differentiation of nuclear transfer and parthenogenetic stem cells in mouse and primates. These novel types of stem cells will provide powerful tools for regenerative medicine and provide unique insight into the basic mechanisms of brain development.