Recent Advances in Stem Cell Neurobiology

摘要: 1. Neural stem cells can be cultured from the CNS of different mammalian species at many stages development. They have an extensive capacity for self-renewal and will proliferate ex vivo in response to mitogenic growth factors or following genetic modification with immortalising oncogenes. Neural are multipotent since their differentiating progeny give rise principal celIular phenotypes comprising mature CNS: neurons, astrocytes oligodendrocytes. 2. Neural also derived more primitive embryonic (ES) blastocyst. ES considered pluripotent they full cellular spectrum will, therefore, contribute all three germ layers: endoderm, mesoderm ectoderm. However, been teratocarcinomas (embryonal carcinomas) may multiple contributing CNS. In a recent development, isolated grown human blastocysts, thus raising possibility growing autologous when combined nuclear transfer technology. 3. There is now emerging recognition that adult brain, including primates humans, harbours cell populations suggesting existence previously unrecognised neural plasticity CNS, thereby promoting endogenous reconstruction. 4. Such reports fuelled expectations clinical exploitation replacement recruitment strategies treatment variety neurological conditions Parkinson’s disease (PD), Huntington’s disease, sclerosis ischaemic brain injury. Owing migratory within find potential application as vectors widespread gene delivery expression therapeutic proteins. this regard, eminently suitable correction genetically-determined disorders management certain tumors responsive cytokines. Since large numbers generated efficiently culture, obviate some technical ethical limitations associated use fresh (primary) tissue current transplantation strategies. 5. While considerable progress has made terms developing new techniques allowing long-term culture cells, successful these presently limited by our understanding both (i) intrinsic extrinsic regulators proliferation (ii) those controlling lineage determination differentiation. Although such provide accessible model systems studying field further lack markers needed identification selection proliferating heterogeneous precursor cells. There need distinguish between committed fate (defined during normal development) specification (implying flexibility through manipulation its environment) undergoing differentiation. 6. With challenges lying ahead, it opinion authors stem-cell therapy likely remain experimental arena foreseeable future. few (if any) studies employing grafts shown convincingly behavioural recovery achieved various paradigms. Moreover, issues relating quality control safety only begun addressed. 7. While on one hand biotechnologists quick realise commercial value, research applications subject intense legislative considerations. The present chapter aims review aspects applicable developmental neurobiology neuroscience.