University of Adelaide researchers have discovered that stem cells
taken from teeth can grow to resemble brain cells, suggesting they could
one day be used in the brain as a therapy for stroke.
In the University's Center for Stem Cell Research, laboratory
studies have shown that stem cells from teeth can develop and form
complex networks of brain-like cells. Although these cells haven't
developed into fully fledged neurons, researchers believe it's just a
matter of time and the right conditions for it to happen.
"Stem cells from teeth have great potential to grow into new brain
or nerve cells, and this could potentially assist with treatments of
brain disorders, such as stroke," said Dr. Kylie Ellis, commercial
development manager with the University's commercial arm, Adelaide
Research & Innovation (ARI).
Ellis conducted this research as part of her Physiology Ph.D.
studies at the University, before making the step into
commercialization. The results of her work have been published in the
journal Stem Cell Research & Therapy.
"The reality is, treatment options available to the thousands of
stroke patients every year are limited," Ellis said. "The primary drug
treatment available must be administered within hours of a stroke and
many people don't have access within that timeframe, because they often
can't seek help for some time after the attack.
"Ultimately, we want to be able to use a patient's own stem cells
for tailor-made brain therapy that doesn't have the host rejection
issues commonly associated with cell-based therapies. Another advantage
is that dental pulp stem cell therapy may provide a treatment option
available months or even years after the stroke has occurred," she said.
Ellis and her colleagues, Professors Simon Koblar, David O'Carroll
and Stan Gronthos, have been working on a laboratory-based model for
actual treatment in humans. As part of this research Ellis found that
stem cells derived from teeth developed into cells that closely
resembled neurons.
"We can do this by providing an environment for the cells that is
as close to a normal brain environment as possible, so that instead of
becoming cells for teeth they become brain cells," Ellis said. "What we
developed wasn't identical to normal neurons, but the new cells shared
very similar properties to neurons. They also formed complex networks
and communicated through simple electrical activity, like you might see
between cells in the developing brain."
This work with dental pulp stem cells opens up the potential for
modelling many more common brain disorders in the laboratory, which
could help in developing new treatments and techniques for patients.
Source: University of Adelaide
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