幹細胞論壇

英國劍橋和愛丁堡大學的科學家利用大鼠的動物實驗發現,大腦幹細胞可以再生髓鞘組織,修補受損的髓鞘,進而治療多發性硬化症.這項發現已刊登在自然期刊的神經科學領域[Nature Neuroscience].

髓鞘是包覆在神經纖維外圍,負責保護神經的組織,同時可以促進訊息的傳遞至大腦.多發性硬化症是因自體抗體的產生,破壞自身的髓鞘組織,使髓鞘漸漸消失,剩下疤痕稱之為硬化.

目前治療多發性硬化症的藥物其目標蛋白為--RXR-gamma,科學家發現RXR-gamma蛋白可以促進大腦幹細胞再生,重新分化髓鞘組織進行修補.動物實驗已被證實,科學家希望下一部能進行人體試驗,證實此項研究的安全性和效應.

Myelin damage potentially reversed using stem cells - hope for multiple sclerosis patients

Stem cells in the brain were found to regenerate myelin sheath which protect nerve fibers. Myelin also helps conduct electrical signals, impulses; it facilitates the good flow of electricity along the nervous system from the brain. Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) have multiple areas where the myelin has disappeared, leaving a scar (sclerosis).

Scientists from Cambridge and Edinburgh University found a biological “switch” which helps stem cells in the brain regenerate myelin in laboratory rats. They wrote about their research in Nature Neuroscience.

However, it will be several years before any treatment for humans is developed and approved, they added. They hope their technology may help in the development of new medications that target the pathway they identified to halt and perhaps even reverse MS.

In this study the scientists looked at how the MS patient's own stem cells repair myelin. They identified RXR-gamma, a specific type of molecule, which seems to play a key role in myelin repair. By targeting RXR-gamma in laboratory rats with MS, their brains' own stem cells were encouraged to regenerate myelin.

A drug already exists in cancer treatment that targets RXR-gamma. The scientists are trying to find out how this might be used as a treatment for MS patients.

The Multiple Sclerosis Society UK says that the next step is to work towards setting up clinical trials to find out how safe and effective a treatment might be for humans with MS.

(Source: Medical News Today)