Combining growth factors, stem cells, and gene therapy for the aging brain

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Soshana P Behrstock, Clive N Svendsen

Abstract

Stem cells have been suggested as a possible "fountain of youth" for replacing tissues lost during aging. In the brain, replacing lost neurons is a challenge, as they have to then be reconnected with their appropriate targets. Perhaps a more realistic and practical strategy for affecting the aging process would be to prevent the loss of neurons from occurring, thus retaining intact circuitry. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) can reverse some aspects of aging in the monkey. Additionally, we have recently shown that GDNF directly infused into the human brain has significant effects on the symptoms of Parkinson disease. Human neural stem cells can be cultured, genetically modified, and transplanted. As such, these cells are ideal for ex vivo gene therapy, and may be used in the future as "minipumps" to release GDNF in vivo to protect aging neurons. Using such an approach could delay the effects of aging in the brain, giving a better quality of life. Stem cells might not be the fountain of youth, but provide a fountain of youth through the release of growth factors such as GDNF.

References

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Citations

Dec 6, 2005·European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·Andreas H JacobsPedro Lowenstein
Sep 29, 2007·Cell and Tissue Research·Rike ZietlowAnne E Rosser
Mar 26, 2005·Brain Research. Molecular Brain Research·Juliann D Jaumotte, Michael J Zigmond
Apr 9, 2008·Neurotherapeutics : the Journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics·Mary B Newman, Roy A E Bakay
May 14, 2009·Cell Research·Dengke K MaHongjun Song
May 6, 2005·Human Gene Therapy·Sandra M KleinClive N Svendsen
Mar 3, 2007·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Brandi K OrmerodMaeve A Caldwell
Feb 7, 2007·Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences·Jeffrey J Ross, Catherine M Verfaillie
Nov 15, 2005·Neurosurgery·Roberto PalliniEugenio Parati
Oct 16, 2010·PloS One·Thomas M KeenanClive N Svendsen
Feb 18, 2011·Experimental Neurology·Andreas Toft SørensenMerab Kokaia
Jan 25, 2011·The Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine, New York·Dustin R WakemanJeffrey H Kordower
Apr 2, 2016·Experimental Neurology·Melanie M DasClive N Svendsen
Nov 18, 2005·Brain Research. Developmental Brain Research·Ingela Liljekvist-Larsson, Kjell Johansson
Jan 20, 2011·Clinical Science·Elena ContiMassimo Volpe

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