New brain cells in mice could help eliminate effects of MS

Scientists at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney have succeeded in creating new brain cells in mice, using adult stem cells, in a move which has the potential to eliminate some effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) and related illnesses.

This research, led by Professor Bruce Brew of the University of New South Wales Clinical School at St Vincent's, puts stem cells from the bone marrow of mice and bone marrow from humans into the brains of mice which have a disease that resembles MS.

It is believed to be the first time anywhere in the world that adult bone marrow cells have been used to reproduce the cells that become damaged in MS sufferers.

Prof. Brew says it is early days but it has potential if a person with MS is first stabilised on other treatments.

"They would then have their own stem cells isolated from the bone marrow," Prof. Brew said. "These would be cultured and injected and the cells would home into the area of damage and differentiate and repair that damage."

The brain contains several different kinds of cells in addition to neurones. One of these cell types, the oligodendrocyte, produces a substance called myelin, which surrounds the neurones and assists electrical conduction along the neurones.

People with MS and some other diseases produce insufficient myelin, which leads to poor electrical conduction and poor neurological function, probably due to a loss of oligodendrocytes.

One solution would be to transplant oligodendrocytes into the brain of a patient with MS, but this donation of human brain cells would be both impractical and would create problems with rejection. Another possible solution, however, is the use of adult stem cells.

A stem cell contains all the body's genes, but the genes that cause differentiation into a specific type of cell (ie, brain or muscle) have not yet been activated.

For the first time, St Vincent's researchers are using adult stem cells derived from the bone marrow to differentiate them into brain cells. Preliminary data have now shown that some of these cells can change into oligodendrocytes. This development has the potential to reverse the deficiency of myelin that is associated with many of the disabilities in MS and other illnesses.

"While we are still some years away from a human application," Prof. Brew said, "the fact that we are able to use adult stem cells in this way is extremely important in the development of effective therapies against a variety of brain diseases."

Item provided courtesy of UNSW