New discovery about the formation of new brain cells
Although the research has been carried out using mice and cultured cells, it could lead to a new medicine for human beings, which could be given to patients who have had a stroke or other disorders that damage or destroy the nerve cells.
“Our research findings show that it could be possible to use molecules that are similar to the peptide C3a to boost the formation of nerve cells and stimulate the replacement of nerve cells lost due to injury or illness,” says senior lecturer Marcela Pekna who headed the research group at the Sahlgrenska Academy.
The peptide C3a is generated through the activation of the complement system, a group of proteins in the blood that is essential for the body's immune defence.
“Our research group was the first in the world to show that the complement system also plays an important role in the repair and regeneration of the brain,” says Pekna. “This was a surprising discovery that opened up a whole new field of research.”
NEW NERVE CELLS
New nerve cells are formed in the brain throughout our lives. The brain's stem cells are formed in the hippocampus and the subventricular zone, an area next to the fluid-filled cavities (lateral ventricles). Stem cells from the subventricular zone mature into nerve cells in the olfactory bulb, but can also migrate out into the brain to replace nerve cells that have been damaged or destroyed. By finding out more about how new nerve cells are formed and what controls their migration, stem cell researchers hope to find new ways of treating stroke, Parkinson's disease and other disorders that result from the nerve cells failing to function as they should.
For more information, please contact:
Senior lecturer Marcela Pekna, tel: +46 31 786 35 81, mobile: +46 70 932 34 85
Journal: Stem Cells
Title of the article: Complement-derived Anaphylatoxin C3a Regulates In Vitro Differentiation and Migration of Neural Progenitor Cells
Authors: Noriko Shinjyo, Anders Ståhlberg, Mike Dragunow, Milos Pekny, Marcela Pekna
Media Contact
More Information:
http://www.gu.se/All latest news from the category: Health and Medicine
This subject area encompasses research and studies in the field of human medicine.
Among the wide-ranging list of topics covered here are anesthesiology, anatomy, surgery, human genetics, hygiene and environmental medicine, internal medicine, neurology, pharmacology, physiology, urology and dental medicine.
Newest articles
Recovering phosphorus from sewage sludge ash
Chemical and heat treatment of sewage sludge can recover phosphorus in a process that could help address the problem of diminishing supplies of phosphorus ores. Valuable supplies of phosphorus could…
Efficient, sustainable and cost-effective hybrid energy storage system for modern power grids
EU project HyFlow: Over three years of research, the consortium of the EU project HyFlow has successfully developed a highly efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective hybrid energy storage system (HESS) that…
After 25 years, researchers uncover genetic cause of rare neurological disease
Some families call it a trial of faith. Others just call it a curse. The progressive neurological disease known as spinocerebellar ataxia 4 (SCA4) is a rare condition, but its…
