Electrical Guidance of Human Stem Cells in the Rat Brain

Jun-Feng Feng; Jing Liu; Lei Zhang; Ji-Yao Jiang; Michael Russell; Bruce G. Lyeth; Jan A. Nolta; Min Zhao

doi:10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.05.035

Stem Cell Reports (Jul 2017)

Electrical Guidance of Human Stem Cells in the Rat Brain

Jun-Feng Feng,
Jing Liu,
Lei Zhang,
Ji-Yao Jiang,
Michael Russell,
Bruce G. Lyeth,
Jan A. Nolta,
Min Zhao

Affiliations

Jun-Feng Feng: Departments of Dermatology and Ophthalmology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, 2921 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
Jing Liu: Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
Lei Zhang: Departments of Dermatology and Ophthalmology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, 2921 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
Ji-Yao Jiang: Department of Neurosurgery, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
Michael Russell: Aaken Laboratories, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Bruce G. Lyeth: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
Jan A. Nolta: Stem Cell Program and Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
Min Zhao: Departments of Dermatology and Ophthalmology, Institute for Regenerative Cures, University of California Davis, 2921 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.05.035
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. 1
pp. 177 – 189

Abstract

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Limited migration of neural stem cells in adult brain is a roadblock for the use of stem cell therapies to treat brain diseases and injuries. Here, we report a strategy that mobilizes and guides migration of stem cells in the brain in vivo. We developed a safe stimulation paradigm to deliver directional currents in the brain. Tracking cells expressing GFP demonstrated electrical mobilization and guidance of migration of human neural stem cells, even against co-existing intrinsic cues in the rostral migration stream. Transplanted cells were observed at 3 weeks and 4 months after stimulation in areas guided by the stimulation currents, and with indications of differentiation. Electrical stimulation thus may provide a potential approach to facilitate brain stem cell therapies.

Published in Stem Cell Reports

ISSN: 2213-6711 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General); Science: Biology (General)
Website: http://www.cell.com/stem-cell-reports/home

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Abstract

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