Stem Cell Transplants Show Promise in Treating Alzheimer’s Disease in Preclinical Study
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have conducted a groundbreaking proof-of-concept study demonstrating that stem cell transplants may hold significant promise in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Stem cell therapies have already been used successfully in the treatment of various cancers and blood disorders, and this new study reveals their potential effectiveness against Alzheimer’s.
The study, published in Cell Reports, involved the transplantation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. The results were remarkable, with the transplanted cells effectively rescuing multiple signs and symptoms of the disease. The Alzheimer’s mice that received healthy stem cells exhibited preserved memory and cognition, reduced neuroinflammation, and significantly less β-amyloid build-up compared to the control group.
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex condition that requires treatments targeting multiple biological pathways. According to senior study author Stephanie Cherqui, Ph.D., the transplantation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells shows great potential in preventing complications associated with Alzheimer’s and could pave the way for a promising therapeutic approach.
The success of the stem cell therapy is attributed to its impact on microglia, a type of immune cell found in the brain. Microglia have been implicated in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Chronic microglia inflammation can contribute to the disease by increasing the production of β-amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s. In healthy conditions, microglia play a crucial role in clearing β-amyloid plaques, but this function is impaired in Alzheimer’s. The resulting build-up of β-amyloid also puts pressure on other brain cells, such as endothelial cells that affect blood flow to the brain.
To investigate whether stem cell transplants could generate new, healthy microglia to reduce Alzheimer’s progression, the researchers performed systemic transplantations of healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells into the Alzheimer’s mice. The transplanted cells differentiated into microglia-like cells in the brain.
The cognitive and behavioral evaluations of the treated mice were astonishing. The mice that received the stem cell transplant showed no memory loss or neurocognitive impairment, exhibiting better object recognition, risk perception, anxiety levels, and locomotor activity compared to the non-treated Alzheimer’s mice.
Further analysis of the treated mice’s brains revealed a significant reduction in β-amyloid plaques in the hippocampus and cortex. The transplant also led to reduced microgliosis and neuroinflammation, preserving the integrity of the blood-brain barrier.
Transcriptomic analyses comparing treated and non-treated Alzheimer’s mice confirmed the positive outcomes of the stem cell therapy. The mice that received the therapy exhibited reduced cortical expression of genes associated with diseased microglia and hippocampal expression of genes linked to diseased endothelial cells.
It is worth noting that another group of mice that received stem cells isolated from Alzheimer’s mice did not show any signs of improvement, indicating that the disease-related information in Alzheimer’s was retained by these cells.
While the study results are promising, further research is needed to understand the mechanisms behind the significant improvements achieved through the transplantation of healthy hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The next steps involve investigating whether similar transplant strategies can alleviate Alzheimer’s symptoms in humans.
Alzheimer’s disease poses a significant emotional and economic burden on society, yet effective treatments remain elusive. The researchers are hopeful that the preclinical success of the hematopoietic stem cell therapy will lead to the development of a novel therapeutic approach for this devastating disease.
The study’s co-authors include researchers from the University of California San Diego and the La Jolla Institute for Immunology.
In conclusion, this groundbreaking preclinical study highlights the potential of stem cell transplantation as a promising avenue for Alzheimer’s treatment. The findings offer hope for millions suffering from the disease and pave the way for future research and potential clinical applications.
