意大利和西班牙科学家们第一次发现脊髓膜存在干细胞

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Evidence for spinal membrane as a source of stem cells may advance spinal cord treatment9 t( W/ T7 D' ~7 @; K4 ^9 v

0 c9 M# E: s- s/ pnaturakllerce导语：意大利和西班牙科学家们第一次证实脊髓膜(spinal cord meninges)---覆盖大脑和脊髓表面的膜系统---含有能够自我更新和增殖的干细胞。当脊髓损伤(是由于遭受创伤而不是疾病造成的)后，脊髓膜细胞增加数量，并且迁移以形成胶质瘢痕(glial scar)。研究人员显微切割成年大鼠脊髓膜样品，揭示出脊髓膜细胞含有关键性的干细胞性质，当脊髓受损后，脊髓膜细胞增加。研究人员认为这一过程解释了中枢神经系统疾病中干细胞激活的部分机制，有可能用于治疗相关疾病。该研究发布在 STEM CELLS杂志上。$ g( z$ j+ z- \/ `8 c

  \2 s- \- g8 q- R! EDurham, NC -- Italian and Spanish scientists studying the use of stem cells for treating spinal cord injuries have provided the first evidence to show that meninges, the membrane which envelops the central nervous system, is a potential source of self-renewing stem cells. The research, published in STEM CELLS, develops the understanding of cell activation in central nervous system injuries; advancing research into new treatments for spinal injuries and degenerative brain disorders.! z- R# R6 o: z% j! Y

- V# c' W- Z8 C: ^The team focused their research on spinal cord injuries, caused when the spinal cord is damaged by trauma rather than disease. Depending on the severity a spinal injury can lead from pain to full paralysis, with high social and medical care costs. As the spinal cord lacks the ability to regenerate, the potential for patient recovery is severely limited.
# h+ k0 G4 D0 N$ ^"Our research offers the first evidence that the spinal cord meninges, the system of membranes which cover the surface of the brain and the spinal cord, contains stem cells which are capable of self-renewal and proliferation," said lead authors Dr Ilaria Decimo and Dr Francesco Bifari, at the University of Verona.; X5 ]7 S9 K- ?3 U' H. y$ u
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Following a spinal injury meningeal cells increase in number and migrate to form glial scars and the team believe this process explains part of the mechanism of stem cell activation in central nervous system diseases; a mechanism which could in turn be used for treatments. Dr Decimo's team microdissected samples of spinal cord meninges from adult rats revealing that meningeal cells contain crucial stem cell properties. It is these properties which increase following a spinal cord injury.0 I+ Q# {3 B7 q7 m
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"Our research emphasizes the role of meninges cells in the reaction to spinal cord trauma and indicates for the first time that spinal cord meninges harbour stem cells which are activated by injury," concluded Dr, Decimo. "Further testing could result in a strategic turnaround for advancing regenerative medicine for treating neurological disorders and spinal cord injuries."
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"This study underlines the importance of endogenous stem cells," said STEM CELLS Editor Dr Miodrag Stojkovic. "Identification of these cells is crucial for understanding the basic mechanisms of cell biology and tissue repair, but also to identify drugs and chemicals which might be used to mobilize meningeal stem cells."(http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-10/w-efs102711.php)