Neural stem cells have long been thought to only exist within the brain and spinal cord. However, a groundbreaking international study led by Hans Schöler of the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Biomedicine in Münster has shattered this belief by discovering a new type of neural stem cell outside the central nervous system (CNS). This discovery has opened up exciting possibilities for the development of therapies for neurological diseases and has been published in the prestigious journal Nature Cell Biology.
In 2014, a controversial article was published in Nature titled “Stimulus-triggered fate conversion of somatic cells into pluripotency.” This article initially caused a stir in the scientific community as it presented a novel method for obtaining pluripotent stem cells without the use of viral vectors. While many labs, including Schöler’s, attempted to replicate these results, the experiment ultimately failed, and the paper was retracted. However, this setback led to an unexpected discovery.
Dong Han, a researcher in Schöler’s lab, successfully used the STAP method to isolate a rare cell population from the periphery of the central nervous system that exhibited neural stem cell properties. These peripheral neural stem cells (pNSCs) were found in various tissues of mice, including the lung and tail, and displayed characteristics similar to brain-derived NSCs.
Further investigation by a team of researchers from multiple continents revealed that pNSCs shared key molecular and functional features with brain-derived NSCs. They exhibited self-renewal and differentiation capacity, expressed NSC-specific markers, and had transcriptional and epigenetic profiles consistent with brain NSCs. Additionally, pNSCs were capable of differentiating into mature neurons and glial cells during development.
The discovery of pNSCs challenges long-standing neuroscience beliefs and offers new opportunities for regenerative medicine. These cells can be grown in significant quantities in vitro, making them a valuable resource for therapeutic applications. Schöler and Han believe that if pNSCs exist in humans and can be propagated similarly to mice, they could have profound therapeutic potential for neural repair and regeneration.
The potential impact of harnessing pNSCs for treating neurodegenerative diseases and nerve cell repair is immense. These cells could provide an easily accessible and abundant source of neural stem cells for conditions like Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and other neurological disorders. Future research will focus on confirming the existence of pNSCs in humans and exploring their therapeutic applications.
In conclusion, the discovery of pNSCs outside the CNS represents a significant advancement in our understanding of the nervous system’s cellular plasticity. This finding, published in Nature Cell Biology, paves the way for further research into the role of pNSCs in human biology and their potential use in regenerative therapies. The interdisciplinary collaboration that led to this discovery underscores the importance of teamwork in pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and medical advancements.
