Glial Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) is an important factor in various neurodegenerative diseases such as PD AlS and Spinal Cord Injury. There is evidence that GDNF is necessary for normal neuromuscular development and survival. It has been suggested that continuous exposure of the dopaminergic neurons or spinal motor neurons to GDNF can serve as a major neuroprotectant and may delay progression of the disease. This is the basis of a strategy devised by the research team at the Neuroscience Laboratory at TAU for neuroprotection for using autologous implantation of bone marrow-derived stem cells differentiated to GDNF-producing cells. Using a novel protocol, mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from human bone marrow and stimulated to differentiate into glial-like cells that produce growth factors, including GDNF.
Bone marrow-derived stem cells were found to acquire morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of astrocytes following a specific differentiation protocol. This resulted in a high expression of S100β, a marker for astrocytes. A significant level of GDNF synthesis and secretion was verified using various genetic and biochemical analysis.
Triple immuno- staining Electron Microscopy Astrocyte marker (GFAP)
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Bone marrow stem cells develop into astrocyte-like cells.
GDNF is one of the major neuroprotective factors known to date. Data suggests that using patient's own bone marrow stem cells to generate glial cells--which may support damaged motor neurons and prevent their future loss—is an alternative treatment for PD and ALS.
Overview
