Canadian researchers turn skin tissues into stem cells

Stem Cell Research Blog carries an important summary of work recently published in Nature.

In a breakthrough in medical sciences, Canadian researchers have pioneered a new method to turn skin tissues into stem cells.

Though American and Japanese scientists have recently turned human skin cells into cells that act like embryonic stem cells, they were forced to use a virus to help re-programme skin cells to develop into a state similar to stem cells. This risked damaging the DNA of the skin cells by the virus, raising the possibility of cancers.

Andreas Nagy of Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital, who led the research, used a novel method to introduce four re-programming genes into skin cells, restoring them to an embryonic-like state. Nagy and his team used a jumping gene or piggyback - which is a mobile piece of DNA - which (in species like moths and corn) hops from chromosome to chromosome, inserting itself randomly into the genome. Jumping genes create genetic variability in species, helping them to adapt to changing conditions. After triggering the restoration of stem cell like properties the modified gene was removed from the cells.

Full story here.

Nurr1 protects against neurotoxins that spur inflammation and Parkinson's disease

A new study in the April 3rd issue of the journal Cell, a Cell Press publication, helps to explain why people who carry mutations in a gene known as Nurr1 develop a rare, inherited form of Parkinson’s disease, the most prevalent movement disorder in people over the age of 65.

They have found evidence that the gene normally acts to suppress an inflammatory response and, in turn, the production of neurotoxins in the brain. Those neurotoxins can otherwise spawn the damage to dopaminergic neurons that is characteristic of Parkinson’s disease. The findings not only offer new insight into the causes of the disease, but also may point to new avenues for therapy, according to the researchers.

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Experimental Parkinson's therapy may have robust weight-loss effect

A growth factor used in clinical experiments to rescue dying brain cells in Parkinson patients may cause unwanted weight loss if delivered to specific areas of the brain, according to University of Florida researchers in the March online edition of Molecular Therapy. Full details here.

Google Founder Helps Patients with Cost of Gene Analysis

Google founder Sergey Brin who recently discovered he carries a gene increasing his risk of developing Parkinson's disease has agreed to fund most of the cost of genetic analysis for 10,000 patients already diagnosed with the disease. Analyses will be performed by 23andMe, a genetics company part led by Brin's wife. As a result of Brin's offer the cost of genomic analysis will be reduced from $400 to only $25 (plus sample shipping charges). The offer is open on a first-come, first-served basis to the next 10,000 Parkinson's patients wishing to participate in the study and agreeing to provide necessary information about their disease. Wired blog carried the story and a link is available here. Another article can be found here.

Naturally Produced Estrogen May Protect Women From Parkinson's Disease

Women who have more years of fertility (the time from first menstruation to menopause) have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease than women with fewer years, according to a large, new study by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.

"These findings, involving nearly 75,000 women, suggest that longer exposure to the body's own, or endogenous, hormones, including estrogen, may help protect the brain cells that are affected by Parkinson's disease. However the study showed no reduction in Parkinson's disease frequency in patients taking hormone therapy. More details here.

Video Lecture on DBS from Vanderbilt University Medical Center

The link below is to a one hour video lecture covering DBS surgery for Parkinson's Disease at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, TN, USA. The lecture includes extensive video of the surgery. It shows the use of a smaller alternative to the traditional stereotaxic frame still used in many centers. Click here to view the video.