 |
|
Scientists produce neurons from human skin
February 23, 2007Scientists from Université Laval's Faculty of Medicine have succeeded in producing neurons in vitro using stem cells extracted from adult human skin. This is the first time such an advanced state of nerve cell differentiation has been achieved from human skin, according to lead researcher Professor François Berthod. This breakthrough could eventually lead to revolutionary advances in the treatment of neurodegenerative illnesses such as Parkinson's disease. Berthod and his team described the method used to produce these neurons in a recent issue of the Journal of Cellular Physiology.
The researchers used skin obtained from plastic surgery procedures. They subjected these skin samples to various treatments in order to extract neuron precursor cells, which they then proceeded to cultivate in vitro. Skin itself does not contain neurons, which are hosted in the spinal cord, but contains only their extensions, called "axons." The researchers' challenge was thus to produce neurons from undifferentiated cells rather than multiply neurons from nerve cells.
Tests conducted by the researchers demonstrated that stem cells from the skin can proliferate and differentiate in vitro when placed in the appropriate environment. They progressively took on the oblong shape typical of neurons. At the biochemical level, researchers discovered that in the days following the start of the experiment, the cells began producing markers and molecules associated with the transmission of nerve impulse between neurons. "This suggests the beginning of synapse formation between neurons," points out Professor Berthod.
In the short term, this breakthrough might have an impact in the field of neuroscience research. "Producing neurons from skin cells could solve the problem of human neural cell availability for research," explains Berthod. "Since neurons do not multiply, researchers now have to rely on laboratory animal neurons to perform their experiments."
In the longer term, the ability to produce neurons from skin cells opens the door to revolutionary therapeutic applications. "We could take a patient's skin cells and use them to produce perfectly compatible neurons, thus eliminating the risk of rejection. We could then transplant these nerve cells in the diseased areas of the brain," explains Berthod. "This type of procedure seems particularly interesting for diseases such as Parkinson's, but it's all theoretical for now. Before we can think of doing such things, we'll have to improve nerve cell differentiation and prove that they can transmit nerve impulses," concludes the researcher.
Université Laval
In the short term, this breakthrough might have an impact in the field of neuroscience research. "Producing neurons from skin cells could solve the problem of human neural cell availability for research," explains Berthod. "Since neurons do not multiply, researchers now have to rely on laboratory animal neurons to perform their experiments."
In the longer term, the ability to produce neurons from skin cells opens the door to revolutionary therapeutic applications. "We could take a patient's skin cells and use them to produce perfectly compatible neurons, thus eliminating the risk of rejection. We could then transplant these nerve cells in the diseased areas of the brain," explains Berthod. "This type of procedure seems particularly interesting for diseases such as Parkinson's, but it's all theoretical for now. Before we can think of doing such things, we'll have to improve nerve cell differentiation and prove that they can transmit nerve impulses," concludes the researcher.
Université Laval
Neurons Current Events and Neurons News RSSKeeping herpes infection in check: Pitt researchers describe immune system strategies
Herpes simplex virus type I can cause bouts of cold sores, blindness and potentially lethal encephalitis when it reawakens from a quiescent state in the nerve cells it infects.
Mouse studies suggest daily dose of ginkgo may prevent brain cell damage after a stroke
Working with genetically engineered mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins have shown that daily doses of a standardized extract from the leaves of the ginkgo tree can prevent or reduce brain damage after an induced stroke.
Protein shown to play a key role in normal development of nervous system
A protein that enables nerve cells to communicate with each other plays a key role in controlling the developing nervous system.
Receptor could halt blinding diseases, stop tumor growth, preserve neurons after trauma
An international team of researchers has discovered what promises to be the on-off switch behind several major diseases.
Moths with a nose for learning
Much like Pavlov conditioned his dog to salivate in anticipation of food when a bell rang, insects can be trained to perform certain behaviors when enticed with different smells.
Millisecond brain signals predict response to fast-acting antidepressant
Images of the brain's fastest signals reveal an electromagnetic marker that predicts a patient's response to a fast-acting antidepressant, researchers have discovered.
Singing to females makes male birds' brains happy
The melodious singing of birds has been long appreciated by humans, and has often been thought to reflect a particularly positive emotional state of the singer.
UCR researchers propose minocycline as a promising drug for patients with Fragile X syndrome
A UC Riverside-led team of biomedical scientists has found that a readily available drug called minocycline, used widely to treat acne and skin infections, can be used to treat Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited cause of mental impairment and the most common cause of autism.
New study proves that pain is not a symptom of arthritis, pain causes arthritis
Pain is more than a symptom of osteoarthritis, it is an inherent and damaging part of the disease itself, according to a study published today in journal Arthritis and Rheumatism.
Do 'light' cigarettes deliver less nicotine to the brain than regular cigarettes?
For decades now, cigarette makers have marketed so-called light cigarettes - which contain less nicotine than regular smokes - with the implication that they are less harmful to smokers' health. A new UCLA study shows, however, that they deliver nearly as much nicotine to the brain.
More Neurons Current Events and Neurons News Articles
 | From Neurons to Neighborhoods : The Science of Early Childhood Development by Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development, Youth, and Families Board on Children, Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development, National Research Council Authoritative yet accessible, Neurons to Neighborhoods presents the newest evidence about early brain development and how children learn to speak, think, get along with others, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the surrounding context-family, child care, community-within which the child grows. Are the early years a time of vulnerability or resilience? To what extent are... |
 | From Neuron to Brain: A Cellular and Molecular Approach to the Function of the Nervous System, Fourth Edition by John G. Nicholls, A. Robert Martin, Bruce G. Wallace, Paul A. Fuchs In the 25 years since From Neuron to Brain was first published, the authors' aim has remained constant—to describe how nerve cells go about their business of transmitting signals, how the signals are put together, and how, out of this integration, higher functions emerge. The new Fourth Edition, while maintaining this focus, has been completely reformatted and updated. The emphasis, as... |
 | The Neuron: Cell and Molecular Biology by Irwin B. Levitan, Leonard K. Kaczmarek The third edition of The Neuron provides a comprehensive first course in the cell and molecular biology of nerve cells. The first part of the book covers the properties of the many newly discovered ion channels that have emerged through mapping of the genome. These channels shape the way a single neuron generates varied patterns of electrical activity. Next are covered the molecular mechanisms... |
 | Schizophrenia Revealed: From Neurons to Social Interactions by Michael Foster Green A modern view of schizophrenia based on neuroscience that goes far beyond the symptoms of the illness. "Green has lifted the bar in this realm of explanatory neuroscience-based psychiatry. If you wish to read an enjoyable and instructive primer on what we know about schizophrenia at the beginning of the 21st century, you could do no better than to choose Schizophrenia Revealed." —New England... |
 | Molecular and Cellular Physiology of Neurons by Gordon L. Fain If we are to understand the brain, we must understand how the individual molecules and cells of the nervous system function and ultimately contribute to our behavior. Molecular and Cellular Physiology of Neurons provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of what we now know--and what we want to know and can reasonably expect to discover in the near future--about the functioning of the... |
 | Neurons In Action 2: Tutorials and Simulations using NEURON by John W. Moore; Anne E. Stuart Neurons in Action 2 is the second version of a unique CD-ROM-based learning tool that combines hyperlinked text with NEURON simulations of laboratory experiments in neurophysiology. Version 2 features nine new tutorials introducing new channel types, single channel simulations, and a redesigned interface. Neurons in Action's moving graphs provide insight into nerve function that is... |
 | Mirroring People: The New Science of How We Connect with Others by Marco Iacoboni What accounts for the remarkable ability to get inside another person’s head—to know what they’re thinking and feeling? “Mind reading” is the very heart of what it means to be human, creating a bridge between self and others that is fundamental to the development of culture and society. But until recently, scientists didn’t understand what in the brain makes it possible. This has all... |
 | Biophysics of Computation: Information Processing in Single Neurons (Computational Neuroscience) by Christof Koch Neural network research often builds on the fiction that neurons are simple linear threshold units, completely neglecting the highly dynamic and complex nature of synapses, dendrites, and voltage-dependent ionic currents. Biophysics of Computation: Information Processing in Single Neurons challenges this notion, using richly detailed experimental and theoretical findings from cellular biophysics... |
 | Spiking Neuron Models by Wulfram Gerstner, Werner M. Kistler This introduction to spiking neurons can be used in advanced-level courses in computational neuroscience, theoretical biology, neural modeling, biophysics, or neural networks. It focuses on phenomenological approaches rather than detailed models in order to provide the reader with a conceptual framework. The authors formulate the theoretical concepts clearly without many mathematical details.... |
 | Microcircuits: The Interface between Neurons and Global Brain Function (Dahlem Workshop Reports) Microcircuits, functional modules that act as elementary processing units bridging single cells to systems and behavior, could provide the link between neurons and global brain function. Microcircuits are designed to serve particular functions; examples of these functional modules include the cortical columns in sensory cortici, glomeruli in the olfactory systems of insects and vertebrates, and... |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |