Promising Results in Stem Cell Therapy for Reversing Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers from UC San Diego have found that using hematopoietic stem cell transplants can protect mice with Alzheimer’s from memory deterioration, neuroinflammation, and the accumulation of β-amyloid plaques.
In the ongoing pursuit of an Alzheimer’s disease cure, there is renewed optimism from an emerging field of medicine. Stem cell treatments, which have proven effective against various cancers, as well as blood and immune system disorders, are now under investigation for their potential against Alzheimer’s. A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of California San Diego suggests that stem cell transplants could hold promise as a potential therapy for Alzheimer’s.
In this study, published in Cell Reports, researchers demonstrated the successful rescue of multiple Alzheimer’s disease symptoms in a mouse model by transplanting hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The mice that received these healthy stem cells exhibited preserved memory and cognitive functions, reduced neuroinflammation, and notably fewer β-amyloid plaques compared to their Alzheimer’s-afflicted counterparts.
Stephanie Cherqui, Ph.D., a professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine and the senior study author, explained, “Alzheimer’s is a highly complex disease, requiring a treatment capable of addressing multiple biological pathways. Our findings indicate that transplantation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells has the potential to mitigate Alzheimer’s complications and may offer a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention.”
The success of this therapy hinges on its impact on microglia, a type of immune cell in the brain. Microglia are implicated in both the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s through various mechanisms. Chronic inflammation of microglia exacerbates Alzheimer’s, as the release of inflammatory molecules leads to increased production of β-amyloid. Although microglia typically play a role in clearing β-amyloid plaques, this function is compromised in Alzheimer’s. This accumulation of β-amyloid also stresses other brain cells, including endothelial cells that influence cerebral blood flow.
Lead author Priyanka Mishra, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher, aimed to determine if stem cell transplantation could generate new, healthy microglia that might slow Alzheimer’s progression. The Cherqui lab had previously succeeded in using similar stem cell transplants to treat mouse models of cystinosis and Friedreich’s ataxia.
Mishra and her colleagues transplanted healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into Alzheimer’s mice and observed the differentiation of these cells into microglia-like cells in the brain. These mice demonstrated preserved memory, cognitive function, and reduced neuroinflammation, while their β-amyloid plaque accumulation in the hippocampus and cortex significantly decreased.
Furthermore, transcriptomic analysis revealed that the stem cell-treated mice displayed reduced expression of genes associated with diseased microglia and endothelial cells in the brain.
It is noteworthy that stem cells derived from Alzheimer’s mice did not show improvement when transplanted into another group of mice, indicating the persistence of disease-related traits.
Future research will delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying the positive effects of stem cell transplantation and explore the potential of similar strategies for alleviating Alzheimer’s symptoms in humans.
Given the emotional and economic toll of Alzheimer’s disease, these promising preclinical outcomes from hematopoietic stem cell therapy represent a potential breakthrough in therapeutic approaches for this devastating condition. The study was supported by various entities including the Epstein Family Research Collaboration Fund, the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) at UC San Diego, the National Institutes of Health, and the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Alzheimer’s stem cell therapy
What is the focus of the UC San Diego study regarding Alzheimer’s disease?
The UC San Diego study investigates the potential of stem cell therapy to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
How does the stem cell therapy work in Alzheimer’s disease treatment?
Stem cell therapy involves transplanting healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into Alzheimer’s mice, which differentiate into microglia-like cells in the brain. These new microglia cells help reduce neuroinflammation and β-amyloid plaque accumulation.
What were the results of the study in terms of Alzheimer’s symptoms?
The study showed that mice treated with stem cell therapy exhibited preserved memory, cognition, reduced neuroinflammation, and significantly fewer β-amyloid plaques compared to non-treated Alzheimer’s mice.
Why is microglia important in Alzheimer’s disease?
Microglia, a type of immune cell in the brain, play a role in both the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. They are involved in inflammation and the accumulation of β-amyloid plaques, which contribute to the disease’s symptoms.
What implications do these findings have for Alzheimer’s treatment?
The study suggests that stem cell therapy targeting microglia could be a promising avenue for treating Alzheimer’s disease, potentially offering a way to mitigate its complications and improve cognitive function.
Were there any limitations to the study?
The study was conducted on mice, and while the results are promising, further research is needed to determine the full effectiveness and safety of this therapy in humans.
How were the stem cells used in the study obtained?
Healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells were transplanted into the Alzheimer’s mice from external sources.
What funding supported this research?
The study received funding from various sources, including the Epstein Family Research Collaboration Fund, Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) at UC San Diego, National Institutes of Health, California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Cystinosis Research Foundation, and Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance.
What are the next steps in this line of research?
Future studies will delve deeper into the mechanisms underlying the positive effects of stem cell therapy and explore its potential in alleviating Alzheimer’s symptoms in humans.
More about Alzheimer’s stem cell therapy
- UC San Diego News Center – Stem Cell Therapy for Alzheimer’s
- Cell Reports – “Rescue of Alzheimer’s disease phenotype in a mouse model by transplantation of wild-type hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells”
- UC San Diego School of Medicine
- Alzheimer’s Association
