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New Findings Support Promise of Using Stem Cells to Treat Neurodegenerative Diseases
Genetic Engineering News ^ | 05.01.06

Posted on 05/02/2006 12:52:15 PM PDT by Coleus

The results of a study published in the April issue of Stem Cells and Development suggest that human stem cells derived from bone marrow are predisposed to develop into a variety of nerve cell types, supporting the promise of developing stem cell-based therapies to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Stem Cells and Development is a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (www.liebertpub.com  ). The paper, entitled "Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Express Neural Genes, Suggesting a Neural Predisposition," is available free online at www.liebertpub.com/scd.  These surprising results lend a new perspective to stem cell differentiation and suggest that multipotential stem cells may express a wide variety of genes at low levels and that stem cells achieve their remarkable plasticity by downregulating the expression of many of these background genes.

In an accompanying editorial, journal Editor-in-Chief, Denis English, Ph.D., Professor of Neurosurgery and Director of Cell Biology at the Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair Research at the University of South Florida College of Medicine in Tampa, writes, "The theory invokes the term 'stem state' to indicate this property, which is characterized by a 'neural predisposition' of stem cells. This contrasts with the conventional view that MSCs exclusively express mesenchymal genes and only express genes of advanced structures in response to differentiation signals." He proposes that "contrary to our current thinking, stem cells are in no sense primitive cells. In fact, stem cells may well be the most advanced cells the organism produces."  The authors of the report, Netta Blondheim, Yossef Levy, Tali Ben-Zur, Alex Burshtein, Tirza Cherlow, et al., from the Felsenstein Medical Research Center and Department of Neurology at Rabin Medical Center, the Sackler School of Medicine of Tel Aviv University, and Laniado Hospital in Israel, propose this new view of adult stem cell plasticity based on their findings that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells grown in the laboratory express an extensive assortment of neural genes, genes linked to the neuro-dopaminergic system, and transcription factors that control genes having neural significance.

They conclude that these MSCs are predisposed to differentiate into neuronal cells given the proper conditions. When transplanted into the central nervous system, they will develop into a variety of functional neural cell types, making them a potent resource for cell-based therapy.  Stem Cells and Development is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly in print and online. The Journal is dedicated to communication and objective analysis of developments in the biology, characteristics, and therapeutic utility of stem cells, especially those of the hematopoietic system. A complete table of contents and free sample issue may be viewed online at www.liebertpub.com/scd.   Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Cloning and Stem Cells, Human Gene Therapy, and Tissue Engineering. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 60 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available at www.liebertpub.com.  CONTACT: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., New Rochelle Vicki Cohn, 914-740-2100, ext. 2156 vcohn@liebertpub.com


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: adultstemcells; bonemarrow; multiplesclerosis; nervecells; parkinsonsdisease; stemcellresearch; stemcells

1 posted on 05/02/2006 12:52:19 PM PDT by Coleus
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To: 2ndMostConservativeBrdMember; afraidfortherepublic; Alas; al_c; american colleen; annalex; ...


2 posted on 05/02/2006 12:52:40 PM PDT by Coleus (I Support Research using the Ethical, Effective and Moral use of stem cells: non-embryonic)
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To: Coleus

And the state of California won't spend one dime of its research fund on this, because it isn't from embroyonic stem cells.


3 posted on 05/02/2006 12:59:19 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative
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To: Coleus

"from bone marrow"

Would indicate adult stem cells not, fetus stem cells correct?

It seems all the successful findings in in adult cells after a life of those cells adapting to the environment and not in a fetus where none of those body protections exist.


4 posted on 05/02/2006 1:01:01 PM PDT by edcoil (Reality doesn't say much - doesn't need too)
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To: cgk

MS Ping


5 posted on 05/02/2006 1:08:42 PM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: Paleo Conservative
And the state of California won't spend one dime of its research fund on this, because it isn't from embroyonic stem cells.

Liberals are pathologically righteous.

6 posted on 05/02/2006 1:09:25 PM PDT by Jeff Chandler (Ignore the Drive-by Media. Build the fence. Sí, Se Puede!)
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To: edcoil

Would indicate adult stem cells not, fetus stem cells correct? >>

Adult Stem Cells


7 posted on 05/02/2006 1:09:41 PM PDT by Coleus (I Support Research using the Ethical, Effective and Moral use of stem cells: non-embryonic)
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To: Coleus

I keep reading and hearing about all the great findings Adult Stem Cells research is producing, and I believe it great news. What I find disturbing is I have yet to read one cure, one promising study, one accomplishment that embryonic stem cell research has produced. Why can't we get the truth out on or in the main stream media just once?


8 posted on 05/02/2006 1:12:38 PM PDT by Russ_in_NC
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Adult stem cells work there is NO need to harvest babies for their body parts.

9 posted on 05/02/2006 1:14:36 PM PDT by Coleus (I Support Research using the Ethical, Effective and Moral use of stem cells: non-embryonic)
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To: edcoil
Would indicate adult stem cells not, fetus stem cells correct?

If it indicated embryonic-derived cells...
you couldn't miss this story in the MSM.

I'm no expert, but I'm fairly sure this story is just about ADULT
stem cells.
10 posted on 05/02/2006 1:25:58 PM PDT by VOA
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To: Coleus

Do you have a ping list for this? If so, would you include me? Thanks.


11 posted on 05/02/2006 1:26:43 PM PDT by StAnDeliver
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To: Paleo Conservative
And the state of California won't spend one dime of its research fund on
this, because it isn't from embroyonic stem cells.


About a year ago, the interim director of California's program gave
a parting speech as he returned to his academic post.
He gave a whole list of caveats about the progress in using embryonic
stem cells for medical cures.

Of course, this story was buried inside The Los Angeles Times.
IIRC, it was in the Business section.
I guess because the folks who got the initiative passed...
gave the California "the business" to the tune of (eventually) $6 BILLION.
12 posted on 05/02/2006 1:29:11 PM PDT by VOA
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To: Russ_in_NC
Why can't we get the truth out on or in the main stream media just once?

Because...as I told a friend (whose eyes I've opened on the MSM)...
The MSM is a propaganda and indoctrination machine.
Not what adults would recognize as an actual news-reporting organization.

Look at how the MSM is reacting as their stock prices are in a death-sprial.
There may be little concessions to tell the truth here and there...
but instead they are sticking to their "mission", hoping that
some day we peons will wake up and return to the fold and drink
their version of kool-aid.
13 posted on 05/02/2006 1:33:01 PM PDT by VOA
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bfl


14 posted on 05/02/2006 1:46:17 PM PDT by neverdem (May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows that you're dead.)
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To: Russ_in_NC
Why can't we get the truth out on or in the main stream media just once?>>
 
It will never happen , we will have to rely on the FR, pro-life news sources and e-mail.

All of our institutions have been infiltrated by marxist followers of Antonio Gramsci.  He believed that if the marxists infiltrated cultural and educational institutions and the media it  would enable them to oversee the appropriate distribution of subtle anti-Christian, anti-American, marxist propaganda to a large amount of people.  satan thrives in the abortion mills and in these institutions. satan is the master of lies and so is the press.  
 
Also, you will see in the press "good" things about stem cells in the headline and first paragraph, it is only near the end of the article, which most people do NOT read is the mention of embryonic stem cells.  See, the deception continues, they don't want us to read the truth.
 
Deconstructing the Western Mind: Gramscian-Marxist Subversion of Faith and Education

15 posted on 05/02/2006 1:54:05 PM PDT by Coleus (I Support Research using the Ethical, Effective and Moral use of stem cells: non-embryonic)
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