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Effective stem cell treatment for stroke
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
The thalamus is the central translator of the brain: specialized nerve cells (neurons) receive information from the senses, process it, and transmit it deep into the brain. Researchers at the Institute of Toxicology and Genetics (ITG) have now identified the genetic factors Lhx2 and Lhx9 responsible for the development of these neurons, improving our understanding of thalamus development. In the long term, this should help in the treatment of thalamic strokes.
The brain consists of 100 billion nerve cells and is the most complex organ in the human body. "We want to understand and learn how individual parts of the brain develop and what causes precursor cells to build specialized areas such as the thalamus," says Dr. Steffen Scholpp ITG. Scholpp's team is investigating the development of the thalamus: "It is the central interface between the brain and the outside world: everything that is perceived through the eyes, ears or tactile sensations must pass through the thalamus before the information is sent to the cerebral cortex for further processing."
In the long term, scientists want to be able to treat damaged parts of the brain by replacing damaged tissue with healthy tissue. Brain tissue damaged by a heart attack is not capable of regeneration. " Stroke is the most common cause of disability in adulthood today," emphasizes Steffen Scholpp. "For this reason, we must find a strategy to activate stem cells to replace damaged tissue."
Scientists have recently made an important step: they have identified Lhx2 and Lhx9, factors that control the development of neurons in the thalamus. "Without these factors, the thalamus would be just ordinary nervous tissue," explains the biologist.
The scientists' results were published in the latest issue of the journal PLoS Biology.
In the same study, Scholpp and his team identified another factor that acts as "glue" in the thalamus: the cell adhesion molecule Pcdh10b ensures that the thalamus develops without mixing with surrounding brain regions. If this factor is missing, neurons differentiate but do not find their intended destination. The scientists' current goal is to activate these factors in a test tube from undifferentiated cells in the thalamus tissue. In close collaboration with engineers and biologists, they have already developed two-dimensional cell culture systems. In January 2012, they will begin a 3D cell culture project.
Dr. Steffen Scholpp thinks that in the future it will be possible to treat stroke patients. "Of course, it will take several years. But our ultimate goal is to bring the stem cells of stroke patients out of dormancy and to activate a specific biological program for the development of these cells outside the body. Finally, we plan to transfer them back to the site of the damaged tissue. That would be a real cure."
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