Abstract
The use of cell-based therapy may be a valid therapeutic approach to ischemic brain injury. Stem cells have been proposed as a new form of cell based therapy in a variety of disorders, including acute and degenerative brain diseases. Up to date most efforts have concentrated on transplantation of embryonic stem cells (ESC) or neural stem cells (NSCs) obtained from immortalized cell lines into the diseased brain. These procedures require harvesting the appropriate stem cell, expansion in vitro and transplantation. Endogenous NSCs have been identified in the central nervous system where they reside largely in the subventricular zone and in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus. Endogenous NSCs may be capable of self-renewal and differentiation into functional glia and neurons. Manipulation of endogenous NSCs may bypass the need to use ESC as a form of therapy thus avoiding the complex ethical and biological issues involved with ES cells or immortalized cell lines. This review summarizes the evidence recently gathered in support of a therapeutic role for endogenous NSCs in acute experimental stroke.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.