Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the selective loss of both spinal and upper motor neurons. One strategy in treating ALS is to use stem cells to replace lost spinal motor neurons. However, transplanted stem cell-derived motor neurons may not survive when exposed to the harsh microenvironment in the spinal cord of ALS. In particular, dysfunctional astrocytes and overactivated microglia in ALS may limit the survival of motor neurons generated from cell replacement therapy. On the other hand, stem cells may provide large quantities of motor neurons that can be used for studying glia-mediated toxic mechanisms and potential therapies in ALS. Here we will review methods and molecular factors for directed differentiation of stem cells into spinal motor neurons, the potential uses of these models for dissecting the mechanisms underlying glia-induced motor neuron degeneration and screening for new therapeutics aimed at protecting motor neurons in ALS, as well as discuss challenges facing the development of motor neuron replacement-based cell therapies for recovery in ALS.
Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stem cell, motor neuron, microglia, astrocyte, transplantation
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Title: Stem Cell-Derived Motor Neurons: Applications and Challenges in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Volume: 4 Issue: 3
Author(s): Jason R. Thonhoff, Luis Ojeda and Ping Wu
Affiliation:
Keywords: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, stem cell, motor neuron, microglia, astrocyte, transplantation
Abstract: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the selective loss of both spinal and upper motor neurons. One strategy in treating ALS is to use stem cells to replace lost spinal motor neurons. However, transplanted stem cell-derived motor neurons may not survive when exposed to the harsh microenvironment in the spinal cord of ALS. In particular, dysfunctional astrocytes and overactivated microglia in ALS may limit the survival of motor neurons generated from cell replacement therapy. On the other hand, stem cells may provide large quantities of motor neurons that can be used for studying glia-mediated toxic mechanisms and potential therapies in ALS. Here we will review methods and molecular factors for directed differentiation of stem cells into spinal motor neurons, the potential uses of these models for dissecting the mechanisms underlying glia-induced motor neuron degeneration and screening for new therapeutics aimed at protecting motor neurons in ALS, as well as discuss challenges facing the development of motor neuron replacement-based cell therapies for recovery in ALS.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Thonhoff R. Jason, Ojeda Luis and Wu Ping, Stem Cell-Derived Motor Neurons: Applications and Challenges in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy 2009; 4 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488809789057392
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157488809789057392 |
Print ISSN 1574-888X |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 2212-3946 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
Matrix Metalloproteinases: New Routes to the Use of MT1-MMP As A Therapeutic Target in Angiogenesis-Related Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design AMPK Function in Aging Process
Current Drug Targets LHON: Mitochondrial Mutations and More
Current Genomics Commentary-1 Research Highlights (Never Underestimate the Power of Adenosine in Multiple Sclerosis)
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Chemical and Pharmacological Aspects of Heteroaryl-Nitrones
Current Medicinal Chemistry Dietary Approaches and Supplements in the Prevention of Cognitive Decline and Alzheimer's Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Does Human Alpha-Synuclein Behave Like Prions?
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Pharmacoproteomics Applications for Drug Target Discovery in CNS Disorders
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Crossed Cerebellar Diaschisis in Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Alzheimer Research Identification of Molecular Targets Associated with Ethanol Toxicity and Implications in Drug Development
Current Pharmaceutical Design Advances in Current Diabetes Proteomics: From the Perspectives of Label- free Quantification and Biomarker Selection
Current Drug Targets Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3: A Potential Target for Drug Discovery in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders
Current Enzyme Inhibition Chondroitin Sulfate Glycosaminoglycans for CNS Homeostasis-Implications for Material Design
Current Medicinal Chemistry Glutamate-Mediated Signaling and Autism Spectrum Disorders: Emerging Treatment Targets
Current Pharmaceutical Design Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Central Nervous System Injuries – A Vascular Growth Factor Getting Nervous?
Current Neurovascular Research Therapeutic Approaches to Polyglutamine Diseases: Combating Protein Misfolding and Aggregation
Current Pharmaceutical Design Editorial (Hot Topic: Targeting Histone Acetylation for Neuroprotection)
Current Pharmaceutical Design Basic Approaches in Therapy of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Related Diseases: Current Achievement and Prospective
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Small Peptide and Protein-based Molecular Probes for Imaging Neurological Diseases
Current Protein & Peptide Science Therapeutic Potential and Mechanisms of Action of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy