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Cell replacement therapy in mouse models with an inherited degeneration of motoneurons

English title Thérapie par remplacement cellulaire chez des modèles de souris avec une dégénérescence héréditaire des motoneurones
Applicant Kato Ann
Number 101098
Funding scheme NRP 46 Implants and Transplants
Research institution Dépt des Neurosciences Fondamentales Faculté de Médecine Université de Genève
Institution of higher education University of Geneva - GE
Main discipline Biomedical Engineering
Start/End 01.02.2003 - 31.07.2005
Approved amount 90'914.00
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Lay Summary (English)

Lead
Lay summary
Generate BR-Tags in Abstracts Cell Replacement Therapy in Mouse Models with an Inherited Degeneration of MotorneuronsBackground/ProblemThe human CNS has a limited capacity to undergo regeneration and repair; therefore the discovery of stem cells which can re-populate regions of the degenerating brain and spinal cord has incited great interest. ObjectiveThe goal of our work is to examine mechanisms for replacing motoneurons in the context of human diseases in which these neurons specifically degenerate (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy). ApproachWe are proposing a series of experiments to examine the capability of three different stem cell lines to replace degenerated motoneurons. For these studies, we plan to inject stem cells into two mouse mutants (pmn/progressive motor neuronopathy and wobbler) that have an inherited degeneration of motoneurons in the spinal cord. Due to the presence of a reporter gene (lacZ and GFP), it will be possible to examine the survival and migration of the grafted cells at different times following transplantation. One of the fundamental questions we plan to address concerns the hypothesis that the degenerated zone may release "factors" or "signals" that would guide the stem cells to re-populate this region. In our work, we plan to determine whether the grafted stem cells will migrate into a zone of the spinal cord of the mutant mice in which degeneration has occurred. These experiments would have important implications to suggest that degeneration may reactivate developmental mechanisms that are necessary for neuronal migration and survival. Cell Replacement Therapy in Mouse Models with an Inherited Degeneration of Motorneurons

Background/Problem
The human CNS has a limited capacity to undergo regeneration and repair; therefore the discovery of stem cells which can re-populate regions of the degenerating brain and spinal cord has incited great interest.

Objective
The goal of our work is to examine mechanisms for replacing motoneurons in the context of human diseases in which these neurons specifically degenerate (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy).

Approach
We are proposing a series of experiments to examine the capability of three different stem cell lines to replace degenerated motoneurons. For these studies, we plan to inject stem cells into two mouse mutants (pmn/progressive motor neuronopathy and wobbler) that have an inherited degeneration of motoneurons in the spinal cord. Due to the presence of a reporter gene (lacZ and GFP), it will be possible to examine the survival and migration of the grafted cells at different times following transplantation. One of the fundamental questions we plan to address concerns the hypothesis that the degenerated zone may release "factors" or "signals" that would guide the stem cells to re-populate this region. In our work, we plan to determine whether the grafted stem cells will migrate into a zone of the spinal cord of the mutant mice in which degeneration has occurred. These experiments would have important implications to suggest that degeneration may reactivate developmental mechanisms that are necessary for neuronal migration and survival.
Direct link to Lay Summary Last update: 21.02.2013

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