PMID: 8613721Dec 1, 1995Paper

Intrastriatal implantation of fibroblasts genetically engineered to produce brain-derived neurotrophic factor prevents degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience
M LevivierU J Kang

Abstract

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Although various treatments are successfully used to alleviate the symptoms of PD, none of them prevents or halts the neurodegenerative process of the disease. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a member of the neurotrophin family of proteins, supports the survival and the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons. BDNF also prevents the death of dopaminergic neurons in vitro, which suggests that it may be of possible use in the development of neuroprotective therapies for PD. To determine whether BDNF is neuroprotective for SNpc dopaminergic neurons in the adult brain, we used a rat model of PD in which degeneration of 60-70% of these neurons was induced by an intrastriatal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). We report here that intrastriatal grafts of fibroblasts genetically engineered to produce BDNF partially prevent the loss of nerve terminals and completely prevent the loss of cell bodies of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway that is induced by the intrastriatal injection of 6-OHDA. In contrast, the implantation of control fibroblasts that did ...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.