A novel type of stem cell in the brain has been identified that has a higher regenerative potential following brain injury or disease, reveals a new study. A major goal of regenerative research is to repair the brain efficiently following injury, for example due to stroke, Alzheimer's Disease or head trauma, disease or aging.
‘A G2 quiescent stem cell is the new stem cell that has higher regenerative potential, which helps improve the ability of the brain to repair the injury.’
Tweet it Now
The brain is poor at repairing itself; however, it may become possible to improve repair without surgery by targeting stem cells residing in patients' brains.Scientists at the Wellcome Trust/ Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, University of Cambridge have conducted the study.
Stem cells have the unique capacity to produce all of the cells in the brain but are normally kept inactive in a form of cellular 'sleep' known as quiescence.
Quiescent cells do not proliferate or generate new cells. Thus, any regenerative therapy targeting stem cells must first awaken them from quiescence.
In a study published in the journal Science, PhD student Leo Otsuki and his supervisor Professor Andrea Brand report the discovery in the brain of a new type of quiescent stem cell (known as 'G2 quiescent stem cell') with higher regenerative potential than quiescent stem cells identified previously.
Advertisement
"The brain is not good at repairing itself, but these newly-discovered stem cells suggest there may be a way to improve its ability," says Professor Brand. "These stem cells are in a dormant state, but once awake, they have the ability to generate key brain cells."
Advertisement
The DNA of fruit flies has many similarities with that of humans, making them a useful model to understand human biology, and 60% of human genes associated with disease are also found in Drosophila.
The tribbles gene has counterparts in the mammalian genome that are expressed in stem cells in the brain. The researchers believe that drugs that target tribbles might be one route to awakening G2 quiescent stem cells.
"We've found the gene that directs these cells to become quiescent," adds Otsuki. "The next step is to identify potential drug-like molecules that block this gene and awaken a person's stem cells.
"We believe there may be similar quiescent stem cells in other organs, and this discovery could help improve or develop new regenerative medicines."
Source-Eurekalert