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Neural stem cell transplantation in the enteric nervous system: roadmaps and roadblocks
Author(s) -
Schäfer K.h.,
Micci M.a.,
Pasricha P. J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2982.2008.01257.x
Subject(s) - enteric nervous system , neural stem cell , transplantation , neuroscience , stem cell , progenitor cell , biology , central nervous system , nervous system , bioinformatics , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology
Abstract The enteric nervous system (ENS) is vulnerable to a variety of genetic, metabolic or environmental threats, resulting in clinical disorders characterized by loss or malfunction of neuronal elements. These disorders have been difficult to treat and there is much enthusiasm for novel therapies such as neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation to restore ENS function in diseased segments of the gut. Recent research has indicated the potential for a variety of innovative approaches to this effect using NSC obtained from the central nervous system (CNS) as well as gut derived enteric neuronal progenitors. The main goal of this review is to summarize the current status of NSC research as it applies to the ENS, delineate a roadmap for effective therapeutic strategies using NSC transplantation and point out the numerous challenges that lie ahead.