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White matter disease

Myelination achieved by transplanted neural stem cells

Nature Reviews Neurology volume 8, page 659 (2012)Cite this article

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Myelination disorders, which include multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy in preterm infants, are a major cause of disability and mortality. Now, two studies published together in Science Translational Medicine have shown that human CNS stem cells (HuCNS-SCs) differentiate into myelin-producing cells when transplanted into the brains of myelin-deficient mice or humans, providing hope for new treatments for myelination disorders.

The intervention was safe and well-tolerated, and was associated with stable or modest gains in motor and cognitive function at 12 months. Starting at 3 months, MRI signals showing enhanced myelination were detected around implantation sites, but not in other brain areas, and increased in intensity over the study period. “This result represents a scientific advance and reveals certain capabilities of transplanted neural stem cells,” says Rowitch. The new MRI signals persisted even after discontinuation of immunosuppresion, suggesting the potential for long-term benefit of this treatment.

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ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPERS

  1. Gupta, N. et al. Neural stem cell engraftment and myelination in the human brain. Sci. Transl. Med. 4, 155ra137 (2012)

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Uchida, N. et al. Human neural stem cells induce functional myelination in mice with severe dysmyelination. Sci. Transl. Med. 4, 155ra136 (2012)

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  1. Katie Kingwell
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Kingwell, K. Myelination achieved by transplanted neural stem cells. Nat Rev Neurol 8, 659 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2012.224

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