Multipotent Myelinating Cells Discovered in Adult Brain

Many diseases, including multiple sclerosis, are caused by the degeneration of myelin on an axon. This paper discusses the discovery of oligodendroglial progenitors (OPs) in adult brains. These cells have myelinating ability and could possible be used to treat degenerative diseases such as MS. Multipotent myelinating cells are known to exist in fetal tissues but, as we have discussed in class, this raises many ethical issues. The fact that these cells may be present in adult tissues as well sparks much more research in using these cells to treat and cure diseases such as MS.


http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=22425