New brain cell transplants displace diseased and aged brain cells
Experiments on mice have shown that transplantation of nerve tissue support cells can help treat neurodegenerative diseases.Researchers from the University of Copenhagen analyzed the ability of new cells of neuroglia - the brain's auxiliary system that supports the functioning of neurons - to repair and replace diseased and aged cells. Analysis in genetically modified mice showed that "renewing" the tissue would help restore normal brain function.
For their experiment, the researchers created "humanized" mice in which the human genes that cause the development of Huntington's disease were activated. This is a disease of the nervous system associated with abnormalities in the glial cells of nervous tissue. Progression of the disease, which typically begins after age 30-35, gradually leads to a person's loss of control over movements and memory loss, affecting many cognitive functions.
The researchers transplanted healthy human glial progenitor cells into the brains of mice that were already "covered" with diseased areas of neural tissue associated with the development of Huntington's disease. Analysis showed that such surgery not only resulted in new cells replacing damaged cells in the transplant area, but also influenced the "rejuvenation" of neuroglia throughout the brain.
This makes the potential use of glial cell transplantation very broad because we can affect all kinds of diseases in which older glial cell populations develop.
Glial progenitor cells form, for example, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The former protect neurons, ensure the removal of "waste" and the delivery of oxygen and nutrients from blood vessels to brain cells. The latter produce myelin, the insulating "component" of the white matter of the brain.
Disruption of glial cells leads to the development of various diseases, including multiple sclerosis, white matter stroke, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and some types of genetically determined schizophrenia.
Although the study was conducted in a mouse model, the researchers are confident that similar results will be obtained in humans. They plan to conduct clinical trials to test this method for the treatment of Huntington's and some other neurodegenerative disorders. And after confirming the safety of the method - for the treatment of age-related changes.