Global perspectives

摘要

The adult brain contains small numbers of stem cells in restricted areas, but this intrinsic stem cell repertoire is small and does not contribute substantially to regeneration of damaged neurons. Transplantation of stem cells has long been suggested as a possible logical approach for CNS repair. Embryonic stem cells (ESC) possessing pluripotent and self-renewal properties represent the stem cell prototype1 and have a tremendous transdifferentiation ability and, therefore, the potential for neural cell replacement. However, the transplantation of undifferentiated ESCs cannot provide a first-line option for clinical applications since it is associated with a high risk of potential carcinomatous; transformation.