Resting brain stem cells hardly differ from normal astrocytes, which support the nerve cells in the brain.
German Cancer Research Center Sep 4 2024 How can almost identical cells perform such different functions? The key lies in the methylation of their genetic material, which endowes these special astrocytes with stem cell properties. Scientists from the German Cancer Research Center and Heidelberg University have published their findings in the journal Nature.
Methylation is the key To solve this puzzle, the teams led by Martin-Villalba and Simon Anders isolated both ordinary astrocytes and brain stem cells from one of the regions of the brain where young neurons still develop in adult mice, the "ventricular-subventricular zone" . The researchers analyzed gene expression at the level of individual cells using mRNA sequencing as well as the patterns of methylation in the entire genome.
This pathway is denied to ordinary astrocytes, as the required genes are blocked by DNA methylation." Lack of blood supply triggers reprogramming of astrocytes to stem cells and increases new nerve formation Could methylation also be used to convert astrocytes into brain stem cells in other regions of the brain, outside the vSVZ? "This would be an important step for regenerative medicine to repair damaged areas of the brain," says Ana Martin-Villalba.
"Our theory is that normal astrocytes in the healthy brain do not form nerve cells because their methylation pattern prevents them from doing so," explains study head Martin-Villalba. "Techniques to specifically alter the methylation profile could represent a new therapeutic approach to generate new neurons and treat nerve diseases."
Stem Cells Blood Cancer Cancer Prevention Cell DNA DNA Methylation Gene Gene Expression Genes Genetic Medicine Nerve Neurons Nutrients Progenitor Cells Research Stroke
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