A study funded by the Korean Government has found that neural stem cells can be genetically modified to transfer therapeutic genes to a damaged spinal cord. 1
The scientists introduced a gene that makes ventricular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to some neural stem cells in the lab.
The neural stem cells that expressed VEGF were injected into the damaged spinal cords of rats, and showed that it could cause growth of a number of nerve cells, increase the density of blood vessels in the area, enhance tissue sparing, and improve the recovery of mobility in injured rats.
VEGF has been studied to treat heart-related disease for quite some time now, but this study identifies a new way of applying it. It points the way to potential treatment for people with spinal cord injuries.
1Kim HM et al. Ex Vivo VEGF Delivery by Neural Stem Cells Enhances Proliferation of Glial Progenitors, Angiogenesis, and Tissue Sparing after Spinal Cord Injury. PLoS ONE 4(3): e4987. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0004987.
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The scientists introduced a gene that makes ventricular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) to some neural stem cells in the lab.
The neural stem cells that expressed VEGF were injected into the damaged spinal cords of rats, and showed that it could cause growth of a number of nerve cells, increase the density of blood vessels in the area, enhance tissue sparing, and improve the recovery of mobility in injured rats.
VEGF has been studied to treat heart-related disease for quite some time now, but this study identifies a new way of applying it. It points the way to potential treatment for people with spinal cord injuries.
1Kim HM et al. Ex Vivo VEGF Delivery by Neural Stem Cells Enhances Proliferation of Glial Progenitors, Angiogenesis, and Tissue Sparing after Spinal Cord Injury. PLoS ONE 4(3): e4987. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0004987.
Source
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