Signaling Pathways Controlling Neural Stem CellsSlow Progressive Brain Disease

摘要

The identification and characterization of multipotent neural precursors open the possibility of transplant therapies, but thisapproach is complicated by the widespread pathology of many degenerative diseases. Activation of endogenous precursorsthat support regenerative mechanisms is a possible alternative. We have previously shown that Notch ligands promote stemcell survival in vitro. Here, we show that there is an intimate interaction between insulin and Notch receptor signaling. Notchligands also expand stem cell numbers in vivo with correlated benefits in brain ischemia. We now show that insulin promotesrecovery of injured dopamine neurons in the adult brain. This response suggests that activating survival mechanisms in neu-ral stem cells will promote recovery from progressive degenerative disease.