Human placenta stem cells show therapeutic potential in stroke models
By ANIWednesday, February 2, 2011
WASHINGTON - In a new study from the University of South Florida, researchers found that human placenta-derived stem cells showed chances of recovery in the laboratory mice with modelled stroke.
These cells proliferated and differentiated when they interacted with one kind of melatonin receptor, MT1.
“Along with increasing cell proliferation and survival rate, MT1 also enhanced the differentiation of placenta-derived stem cells into neuronal cells,” said Yuji Kaneko at USF Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair.
“Targeting the MT1 receptor could be beneficial as MT1 appears to enhance cell proliferation.”
The team also found that besides stroke, these stem cells could also be useful in treating oxidative stress.
“This ‘cross-talk’ between melatonin and stem cells is an under explored research area,” Kaneko said.
He added that the results advance the concept of melatonin receptor technology in stem cell therapy by which stem cells can be switched on with melatonin treatment, or switched off by withholding melatonin.
“This melatonin receptor technology can facilitate the regulation of stem cell growth and differentiation as well as the stimulation of the cell’s growth factor secretory capacity,” he concluded.
The study is published in the current issue of the Journal of Pineal Research. (ANI)
