Stem cells from adult skin can be transplanted! It also remains functional! Canadian scientists determining this, say that such stem cells create neural cell types, which function in mouse models of disease.
The research team discovered that the skin-derived precursors (SKPs) can efficiently generate a type of glial cell - called Schwann cells. These cells can myelinate demyelinated axons. They also provide an effective growth environment for injured central nervous system axons — which do not regenerate.
Dr. Freda Miller, the study’s principal investigator said,
Our finding ... raises the possibility that we could treat humans with Schwann cells derived from human skin stem cells, and perhaps even use the patient’s own skin to generate Schwann cells for treatment.
Via: physorg
