Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) differentiate into neuron-like phenotypes i n vitro and in vivo, engrafted into normal or denervated rat striatum. The BMSC administere d into the ventricle did not remain localized to the site of the graft, but migrated throughout the brain and integrated into specific brain regions in various architectonic patterns. Th e most orderly integration of BMSC was in the laminar distribution of cerebellar Purkinje cells, where the BMSC-derived cells took on the Purkinje phenotype. The BMSC exhibited site- dependent differentiation and expressed several neuronal markers including neuron- specific nuclear protein, tyrosine hydroxylase and calbindin. Treated BMSC implanted intrastriatally stayed in the cortex and the striatum, produced tyrosine hydroxylase which produces th e dopamine needed in Parkinson's disease.
BONE MARROW-DERIVED NEURONAL CELLS