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Harvard Scientists Report Key Stem Cell Research Findings

DataMonitor

September 4, 2006

Scientists at Harvard University have identified key compounds that stimulate
stem cell growth in the brain, which may one day lead to restored function for
people affected by Parkinson's disease, strokes, multiple sclerosis, and a wide
range of neurological disorders. 

These findings, which appear in The FASEB Journal, gave some indications as to
which compounds may be responsible for causing key brain cells called neurons to
regenerate and ultimately restore brain function. 

The research study focused on two compounds, LTB4 and LXA4. Both play a role in
inflammation and are regulators of proliferation of several cell types. When
stem cells isolated from the brains of mouse embryos were exposed to LTB4 they
proliferated and differentiated, giving rise to additional stem cells and to
differentiated neurons with limited or absent capacity to divide. When exposed
to LXA4, these cells experienced decreased growth and apoptosis. 

"This study opens doors to new therapeutic approaches for a wide range of
neurological disorders and injuries that were once considered incurable," said
Gerald Weissmann, editor-in-chief of The FASEB Journal. 

The study also provided so insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms
involved when LTB4 stimulates neuronal stem cells. According to the study, cells
generated as the result of LTB4 exposure had high levels of LTB4 receptors,
whereas the level of LTB4 receptors was considerably lower in similar cells not
generated by LTB4 stimulation. 

The investigators were further able to show that LTB4 up-regulated several
molecules involved in cell cycling and growth, such as cyclins and epidermal
growth factor receptor, and decreased those such as caspase 8, which play a role
in apoptosis. LXA4 had the opposite effects.

 

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