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Researchers have demonstrated that stem cells derived from human hair follicles can repair severed nerves in mice.
After stem cells from the hair follicle are injected into the injured nerve they differentiate into Schwann cells, which promote nerve growth allowing the nerve to rejoin. The repaired nerve regains function allowing the mouse to walk normally.
This study led by a team at AntiCancer, Inc was done in collaboration with
Kitasato University School of Medicine in Sagamihara, Kanagawa in Japan.
Previously, scientists showed that hair follicle stem cells are pluripotent and can differentiate into many cell types, including neurons, and named them hfPS (hair follicle
pluripotent stem) cells.
"hfPS cells have important advantages for regenerative medicine over embryonic stem (ES) cells and induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells because they are easily accessible from any patient and don't cause immunological problems or tumors, and they don't have ethical problems," said Charlene M Cooper, vice president and CEO of AntiCancer.
The current study was published in the current issue of the Journal of Cellular
Biochemistry.
AntiCancer, founded in 1984 and based in San Diego, has developed the leading mouse models of cancer and is also developing new cancer drugs based on genetic engineering that targets cancer-specific metabolic defects. The company is also working on recombinant-enzyme-based diagnostics for cancer and cardiovascular disease and tumour-targeting bacteria.
