Embryonic stem cell-derived glial precursors: a source of myelinating transplants.

Brüstle, O; Jones, K N; Learish, R D; Karram, K; Choudhary, K; Wiestler, O D; Duncan, I D; McKay, R D · Science · 1999

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Self-renewing, totipotent embryonic stem (ES) cells may provide a virtually unlimited donor source for transplantation. A protocol that permits the in vitro generation of precursors for oligodendrocytes and astrocytes from ES cells was devised. Transplantation in a rat model of a human myelin disease shows that these ES cell-derived precursors interact with host neurons and efficiently myelinate axons in brain and spinal cord. Thus, ES cells can serve as a valuable source of cell type-specific somatic precursors for neural transplantation.

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