Recent Advances and the Future of Stem Cell Therapies in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by a permanent degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons. Many different genes and pathophysiological processes contribute to this disease, however its exact cause remains unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to understand this heterogeneity to find effective treatments. In this review, we focus on selected environmental and genetic risk factors predisposing to ALS and highlight emerging treatments in ALS therapy. Of numerous defective genes associated with ALS, we focus on four principal genes that have been identified as definite causes of ALS: the SOD1 gene, C9orf72, TDP-43, as well as the recently identified TBK1. We also provide up-to-date information on selected environmental factors that have historically been considered as key players in ALS development and pathogenesis. In parallel to our survey of known risk factors, we also discuss emerging ALS stem cell therapies and experimental medicines currently undergoing phase II and III clinical trials.

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Stem cell therapies for acute spinal cord injury in humans: a review

Neurosurgical FOCUS ◽

10.3171/2018.12.focus18602 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. E10 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Michael C. Jin ◽

Zachary A. Medress ◽

Tej D. Azad ◽

Vanessa M. Doulames ◽

Anand Veeravagu

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Stem Cells ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Cell Biology ◽

Stem Cell Biology ◽

Stem Cell Therapies ◽

Cell Therapies ◽

Recent Advances ◽

Cord Injury

Recent advances in stem cell biology present significant opportunities to advance clinical applications of stem cell–based therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI). In this review, the authors critically analyze the basic science and translational evidence that supports the use of various stem cell sources, including induced pluripotent stem cells, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, and mesenchymal stem cells. They subsequently explore recent advances in stem cell biology and discuss ongoing clinical translation efforts, including combinatorial strategies utilizing scaffolds, biogels, and growth factors to augment stem cell survival, function, and engraftment. Finally, the authors discuss the evolution of stem cell therapies for SCI by providing an overview of completed (n = 18) and ongoing (n = 9) clinical trials.

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The Kynurenine Pathway in Stem Cell Biology

International Journal of Tryptophan Research ◽

10.4137/ijtr.s12626 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. IJTR.S12626 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Simon P. Jones ◽

Gilles J. Guillemin ◽

Bruce J. Brew

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Cell Biology ◽

Critical Role ◽

Kynurenine Pathway ◽

Stem Cell Biology ◽

Stem Cell Therapies ◽

Cell Therapies ◽

Functional Behavior ◽

Lateral Sclerosis

The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the main catabolic pathway of the essential amino acid tryptophan. The KP has been identified to play a critical role in regulating immune responses in a variety of experimental settings. It is also known to be involved in several neuroinflammatory diseases including Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. This review considers the current understanding of the role of the KP in stem cell biology. Both of these fundamental areas of cell biology have independently been the focus of a burgeoning research interest in recent years. A systematic review of how the two interact has not yet been conducted. Several inflammatory and infectious diseases in which the KP has been implicated include those for which stem cell therapies are being actively explored at a clinical level. Therefore, it is highly relevant to consider the evidence showing that the KP influences stem cell biology and impacts the functional behavior of progenitor cells.

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