stem cells and neuroprotection understanding the players干细胞和神经保护理解球员们.pdf

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2010, 11, 3288-3297; doi:10.3390/ijm OPEN ACCESS International Journal of Molecular Sciences ISSN 1422-0067 /journal/ijms Review Stem Cells and Neuroprotection: Understanding the Players Virginia Pearce Department of Molecular Biology and Immunology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76011, USA; E-Mail: virginia.pearce@; Tel.: +1-817-735-0617; Fax: +1-817 735-2118 Received: 12 July 2010; in revised form: 12 August 2010 / Accepted: 1 September 2010 / Published: 15 September 2010 Abstract: The use of neuroprotective therapies begs the question of how such therapies could affect preexisting stem cell populations within the host, as well as those introduced through cell-replacement therapy. Multiple mechanisms may mediate stem cell responses to neuroprotectants such as host/donor age and gender, cellular lineage/differentiation status, and mitochondrial dynamics. Current therapeutic sources for stem cells are embryonic, somatic, or induced pluripotent, with very little known about the effects of gender, age, cell type, and mitochondrial dynamics. With the advent of therapies to stimulate and recruit endogenous stem cells or transplant donor cells into damage areas in the hopes of recuperative regeneration of lost neurons, it is important to discuss