Genetically engineered stem cell‐derived neurons can be rendered resistant to alpha‐synuclein aggregate pathology

Abstract

We discuss the implications of a recent study by Chen and collaborators which demonstrated that dopamine neurons derived from human pluripotent stem cells which had been genetically engineered to delete the alpha‐synuclein gene are resistant to the experimental induction of Lewy pathology (Chen et al., 2018). Neural transplants in Parkinson's disease patients can develop Lewy pathology over a decade after the graft surgery, and this pathology might compromise the long‐term survival and function of the grafted neurons. Therefore, the study by Chen et al has potential clinical implications where alpha‐synuclein null neurons might eventually be considered as possible donor cells in future intracerebral transplantation trials in Parkinson's disease.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://bit.ly/2LZmUFz