A team of Japanese scientists say that they have managed to reverse Parkinson’s disease in rats by genetically modifying a special type of stem cell called neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs). NPC transplants have failed to reverse the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in humans, although they have produced promising results in animals. Dr Hitoshi Yamada, of Yokohama City University believes that NPC transplants have failed in humans because they generate too few mature nerve cells, or neurons, to be beneficial. Previous work by Yamada and colleagues has shown that modifying NPCs to carry a gene known as von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor gene improved their development into mature neurons. Yamada’s most recent study examined the effect that the modified cells had when transplanted into rats with Parkinson’s disease-like brain lesions. Results showed that just 4.2% of normal NPCs developed into mature neurons when transplanted, and very few of the mature cells were the type needed to combat Parkinson’s. In comparison, 42% of modified NPCs developed into the type of cells needed to treat the disease. Furthermore, the symptoms of rats treated with the modified NPCs improved, and three of the eight animals appeared to make a complete recovery. Yamada believes that the modified NPCs “can likely supply enough (suitable) neurons to treat Parkinson’s patients.”
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.reutershealth.com on the 24th September 2003.
