Brain with and without Huntington's |
At Washington University in St. Louis, researchers have just discovered a new way to create brain cells needed for Huntington's patients. This method avoids using stem cells, which makes it less controversial, and also avoids creating multiple cell types that usually comes with stem cell research. These cells were created from human skin cells and converted directly into brain cells.The types of brain cells created are medium spiny neurons, and they are the cells that degenerate in a Huntington's patient. They are responsible for controlling movement, which causes uncontrollable, jerky movements in a patient who has degeneration of those neurons. These brain cells were then transplanted into mice, where they were found to have lived at least 6 months. These cells also behaved similarly to native brain cells of the mice.
Medium Spiny Neurons |
The DNA in any cell of a person's body contains the instructions on how to be any type of cell seen in the body. The researchers found two microRNAs that are used in packaging the part of the DNA that codes for brain cells. These cells, when exposed to these 2 microRNAs, were able to be changed into neurons. These neurons could then be changed into specific neurons, such as medium spiny neurons, by being exposed to transcription factors specific to those neurons. Without the microRNAs, the transcription factors alone were not enough to create the neurons. This new method of creating brain cells is planned to be tested with Huntington's patients, and also being tested on mice with a model of Huntington's.
This research break-though is astounding. Patients diagnosed with Huntington's typically are diagnosed with a death sentence of 15-20 years. Usually patients either die by infection or commit suicide. This research gives those with degenerative brain diseases hope. With this research there is the potential to repair crucial cells that have been destroyed. It also allows for hope in families with the disease that even if it is passed down to their children that there may be a way to keep the disease from ever being debilitating.
Source: Human Skin Cells Reprogrammed Directly Into Brain Cells
Source: Human Skin Cells Reprogrammed Directly Into Brain Cells
I couldn't agree more, genetic break-throughs such as this allow for hope. I feel for those who suffer from horrendous diseases like ALS, Huntington's, and many others. The image of the two brains is astonishing, it really puts into perspective how terrible degenerative diseases are. The slightest bit of progress goes a long way, you have to start somewhere. Hopefully this is the beginning of new and improved treatment methods. This could have a profound impact on the lives of many unfortunate people.
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