Protective Astrocytes
Galveston, Texas -
As various media are being developed for coaxing stem cells to enter various pathways of differentiation, limitations to media alone are becoming apparent. In a recent study (Jordan et al. Astrocytes enhance long-term survival of cholinergic neurons differentiated from human fetal neural stem cells. J Neurosci Res. 2007 Aug 29) it was demonstrated that fetally derived neuronally committed stem cells can be induced to differentiate into cholinergic neurons (ie the type useful for Alzheimer's Disease) by treatment with FGF-2, heparin and laminin.
Although this differentiation media was useful for generating mature cholinergic neurons, the neurons had short in vitro survival. By culturing the cells with astrocytes or astrocyte conditioned media, the investigators were able to demonstrate long-term survival.
Since the astrocyte plays a fundamental role in providing trophic support for neuron's in vivo, the application of this cell type in vitro for sustaining neuronal viability makes sense.
Taking the approach of replicating in vivo microenvironments in vitro is a promising way to enhance yeild, survival and function of in vitro generated tissue.
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hernando rafael said...
Dear Mrs.
In base to my clinica and surgical experiences,I believe that AD is initiated in medial temporal lobes and subcommissural regions( cholinergic and neurpeptidic nucclei ),due to progressive hypoperfusion and hypotmetabism, caused by atherosclerosis. 1.Rafael H.Cerebral atherosclerosis and mild AD
Stroke 2003;34(8):pe106.
2.Rafael H,Cortés R,Valadez MT.Early clinical features of Alzheimer´s disease. J Neurol Sci (Turk) 2003;20(4):222-7. www.jns.dergisi.org
3.Rafael H. Neural transplantation.J Neurosurg
2006;104(2):336-8 (letter ).
Therefore,we must be revascularize the intraparenchymal territory of the anterior choroidal and perforating arteries. Thus,the omentum provide nutrients, oxygen, neurotransmitters, neurotrophic factors,cytokines and adult stem cells.
Yours sincerely.
Hernando Rafael,M.D.