2023-07-24 23:26:14
Researchers have transplanted cells capable of forming ” support cells » specialized glial cells. They found that they competed with diseased cells and replaced them, as well as old cells. These results might pave the way for the development of a treatment for a range of conditions such as multiple sclerosis, ALS [1], Alzheimer’s disease, autism or schizophrenia. Their work has been published in the journal Nature Biotechnology [2]
Restoring brain function through glial cell transplantation
Glial cells generically refer to cells that support » nerve cells, neurons. Progenitor cells are the descendants of stem cells. In the case of glial cells, human glial progenitor cells (hGPCs) differentiate into subtypes including astrocytes and oligodendrocytes [3]specialized in particular functions.
Dysfunctional astrocytes and oligodendrocytes have been associated with several neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Given the ability of hGPCs to give rise to new astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, researchers at the University of Copenhagen investigated how transplanting healthy hGPCs might help restore brain function.
Replace diseased or aged cells
The researchers had already shown that healthy human glial cells replaced diseased mouse glial cells when they were transplanted into mouse models of Huntington’s disease.
In this new study, the researchers wanted to determine whether healthy human cells might replace diseased human cells. So they introduced healthy hGCs into mice. chimerical » or « humanized into which cells from patients with Huntington’s disease had been injected (cf. Human neurons implanted in the brains of young rats). The researchers found that the healthy cells took over the diseased cells and completely replaced them. They further observed that hGPCs from young donors replaced aged cells.
A whole range of pathologies might be affected by this approach.
A “proof of principle”
It is still only a proof of principle However, tempers Steven Goldman, author of the study.
Researchers are now considering clinical trials for Huntington’s disease, but also two other diseases: primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PM). Patients with PPMS do not experience a period of remission. They make up regarding 15% of people with multiple sclerosis. PM, on the other hand, is a rare and progressive genetic disease that damages oligodendrocytes, leading to deterioration of coordination, motor skills and cognitive functions.
« I hope we can get permission to administer the cells to patients and can start trials of this approach within two years. », indicates Steven Goldman.
[1] Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also called Charcot disease
[2] Vieira, R., Mariani, J.N., Huynh, N.P.T. et al. Young glial progenitor cells competitively replace aged and diseased human glia in the adult chimeric mouse brain. Nat Biotechnol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41587-023-01798-5
[3] « Astrocytes make up most of the cells in the central nervous system. They support and protect neurons, transport nutrients and eliminate waste. Oligodendrocytes lay down and maintain the lipid-rich, insulating covering called myelin around certain axons, the part of a neuron that connects to another neuron and allows nerve impulses to be transmitted. »
Source : New Atlas, Paul McClure (23/07/2023)
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