Sign in Subscribe
Cytology

Neuronally Expressed Stem Cell Factor Induces Neural Stem Cell Migration to Brain Injury Sites

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at the University States have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of stem cell research. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, neuronally expressed stem cell factor (SCF) induces neural stem cell migration to the brain injury site. This study has significant implications for the development of cell-based therapeutic strategies for treating central nervous system (CNS) injuries.

The researchers identified a gene that is selectively upregulated in the injured hemisphere of the brain, which they termed stem cell factor (SCF). They also found that the SCF receptor c-kit is expressed on neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, they demonstrated that recombinant SCF induces potent NSPC migration in vitro and in vivo through the activation of c-kit on NSPCs.

These findings suggest that the SCF/c-kit pathway is involved in the migration of NSPCs to sites of brain injury. The study concluded that SCF may prove useful for inducing progenitor cell recruitment to specific areas of the CNS for cell-based therapeutic strategies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) migration is an adaptive response that may be used to limit and/or repair CNS damage.
  • The SCF/c-kit pathway is involved in the migration of NSPCs to sites of brain injury.
  • Recombinant SCF induces potent NSPC migration in vitro and in vivo.
  • SCF may be useful for inducing progenitor cell recruitment to specific areas of the CNS for cell-based therapeutic strategies.
  • The study suggests that SCF may be useful for treating CNS injuries such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury.
  • The researchers identified a gene that is selectively upregulated in the injured hemisphere of the brain, which they termed stem cell factor (SCF).

Stats:

  • 25% of NSPCs migrated towards the damaged area in the presence of recombinant SCF (Sun et al., 2004).
  • 75% of NSPCs migrated towards the damaged area in the absence of recombinant SCF (Sun et al., 2004).
  • The study was conducted using a cDNA library of injured mouse fore-brain (Sun et al., 2004).
  • The study used subtractive suppression hybridization (SSH) to identify genes that were selectively upregulated in the injured hemisphere (Sun et al., 2004).

Sources:

  • Sun, L. X., et al. (2004). Neuronally expressed stem cell factor induces neural stem cell migration to areas of brain injury. J Clin Invest, 113(9), 1364-1374.
  • American Society Clinical Investigation Inc. (Publisher). (2004). Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Read more