Adult stem cells--reprogramming neurological repair?

Lancet. 2004 Jul;364(9429):193-9. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(04)16633-6.

Abstract

Much excitement has surrounded recent breakthroughs in embryonic stem-cell research. Of lower profile, but no less exciting, are the advances in the field of adult stem-cell research, and their implications for cell therapy. Clinical experience from use of adult haemopoietic stem cells in haematology will facilitate and hasten transition from laboratory to clinic--indeed, clinical trials using adult human stem cells are already in progress in some disease states, including myocardial ischaemia. Here, with particular reference to neurology, we review processes that might underlie apparent changes in adult cell phenotype. We discuss implications these processes might have for the development of new therapeutic strategies using adult stem cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Fusion
  • Cell Lineage
  • Central Nervous System / cytology*
  • Central Nervous System / physiology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Multipotent Stem Cells / physiology
  • Nerve Regeneration*
  • Neurons / cytology