The cells providing myelination of neurons were obtained directly from fibroblasts
Researchers at Stanford University Medical School have successfully transformed skin cells into oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. The latter perform an extremely important function in the work of the nervous system – they provide a coating of nerve fibers with an insulating myelin sheath.
In the absence of the myelin sheath, nerve impulses quickly weaken and do not reach their destination. Diseases of the brain and spinal cord accompanied by myelin damage, such as multiple sclerosis and hereditary leukodystrophy, can lead to visual and other sensory organs, cognitive and motor functions.
Earlier studies in mouse models have shown that transplantation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells derived from embryonic stem cells and human fetal brain cells ensures the formation of a myelin sheath around the affected nerves, which in some cases provides a very significant reduction in the symptoms of the disease.
However, according to the head of the study, Associate Professor Marius Wernig, unfortunately, the availability of human fetal material is very limited, and the process of differentiation of embryonic stem cells into oligodendrocyte progenitor cells is very long and complicated.
In search of a solution to this problem, as well as the problem of immunological compatibility of the donor material and the recipient's body, the authors decided to try to use skin cells to obtain oligodendrocyte progenitor cells.
Previously, other groups of researchers reprogrammed skin fibroblasts into other types of cells using a method implying an intermediate stage – the transformation of the original cells into induced pluripotent stem cells. However, Wernig's group managed to improve this approach and last year they successfully turned human skin cells directly into nerve cells.
As part of their latest work, they adapted a previously developed method for the transformation of skin cells into oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, which, when transplanted into the brain of a mouse model of demyelinating disease, successfully formed a myelin sheath around exposed nerve fibers.
In the near future, the researchers plan to reproduce the results obtained on human cells. If successful, the developed approach can form the basis of new revolutionary methods of treatment of demyelinating diseases of the nervous system and spinal cord injuries.
Article by Nan Yang et al. Generation of oligodendroglial cells by direct lineage conversion is published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on materials from Stanford University School of Medicine:
Researchers turn skin cells directly into the cells that insulate neurons.
18.04.2013