Back to Search
Start Over
Trans-differentiation of neural stem cells: a therapeutic mechanism against the radiation induced brain damage
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, Vol 7, Iss 2, p e25936 (2012), PLoS ONE
- Publication Year :
- 2012
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2012.
-
Abstract
- Radiation therapy is an indispensable therapeutic modality for various brain diseases. Though endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) would provide regenerative potential, many patients nevertheless suffer from radiation-induced brain damage. Accordingly, we tested beneficial effects of exogenous NSC supplementation using in vivo mouse models that received whole brain irradiation. Systemic supplementation of primarily cultured mouse fetal NSCs inhibited radiation-induced brain atrophy and thereby preserved brain functions such as short-term memory. Transplanted NSCs migrated to the irradiated brain and differentiated into neurons, astrocytes, or oligodendrocytes. In addition, neurotrophic factors such as NGF were significantly increased in the brain by NSCs, indicating that both paracrine and replacement effects could be the therapeutic mechanisms of NSCs. Interestingly, NSCs also differentiated into brain endothelial cells, which was accompanied by the restoration the cerebral blood flow that was reduced from the irradiation. Inhibition of the VEGF signaling reduced the migration and trans-differentiation of NSCs. Therefore, trans-differentiation of NSCs into brain endothelial cells by the VEGF signaling and the consequential restoration of the cerebral blood flow would also be one of the therapeutic mechanisms of NSCs. In summary, our data demonstrate that exogenous NSC supplementation could prevent radiation-induced functional loss of the brain. Therefore, successful combination of brain radiation therapy and NSC supplementation would provide a highly promising therapeutic option for patients with various brain diseases.
- Subjects :
- Pathology
medicine.medical_specialty
Cognitive Neuroscience
Cellular differentiation
Cancer Treatment
lcsh:Medicine
Endogeny
Brain damage
Mice
Paracrine signalling
Neural Stem Cells
Developmental Neuroscience
Neurotrophic factors
Animals
Medicine
lcsh:Science
Biology
reproductive and urinary physiology
Brain Diseases
Multidisciplinary
Radiotherapy
business.industry
Stem Cells
lcsh:R
medicine.disease
Neural stem cell
nervous system diseases
Radiation Injuries, Experimental
Neurology
Oncology
Cerebral blood flow
nervous system
Brain Injuries
Cell Transdifferentiation
Cancer research
lcsh:Q
Molecular Neuroscience
Nuclear Medicine
medicine.symptom
biological phenomena, cell phenomena, and immunity
Radiology
business
Stem Cell Transplantation
Research Article
Developmental Biology
Neuroscience
Brain metastasis
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 7
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS ONE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....d7d430b02c866f23fde88a54cfd50536