Geron Announces Publication of Study Results Showing That Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Oligodendrocytes
Remyelinate In Vivo
MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 22, 2004--Geron
Corporation (Nasdaq:GERN) announced today the publication of a study
which demonstrates that oligodendrocytes can be differentiated from
human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and when injected into the spinal
cord, will produce myelin, the biological "insulation" critical for
maintenance of electrical conduction in the central nervous system.
Myelin is destroyed in patients with spinal cord injury or
dysmyelinating diseases such as multiple sclerosis.
In the journal Glia, Dr. Hans Keirstead and his colleagues from
the Reeve Irvine Research Center at the University of California at
Irvine in collaboration with scientists from Geron published study
results showing that hESCs can be differentiated efficiently into
early stage oligodendrocytes, known as oligodendrocyte progenitors, as
well as into mature oligodendrocytes. Throughout the differentiation
protocol, the cells display correct morphology and specific markers
characteristic of their oligodendrocyte lineage and maturation stage.
Oligodendrocytes are cells that wrap around neurons and shield
them, thereby facilitating electrical transmission in the central
nervous system. Dysmyelination of neurons leads to the sensory and
motor deficiencies associated with multiple sclerosis and spinal cord
injury. In the study, Dr. Keirstead injected the hESC-derived
oligodendroglial progenitors into the spinal cords of Shiverer mice.
These mice lack myelin in their central nervous system, develop a
characteristic shaking behavior, and die early after only 10-12 weeks
of life. After transplantation into the Shiverer mice, the
hESC-derived oligodendrocytes survived and migrated appropriately
within the spinal cord. Patches of myelin basic protein and compact
myelin were observed wrapping neurons in the spinal cord.
"The studies show that oligodendrocytes can be derived from human
embryonic stem cells and that they function normally in a disease
environment," stated Hans Keirstead Ph.D. "This is an important
confirmation of what we suspected was occurring. Remyelination of
neurons is a crucial step in restoring function to a damaged spinal
cord. Combined with the positive results of our previously reported
efficacy model, we believe we have a therapeutic opportunity."
This work was conducted with support from Geron Corporation and a
University of California Discovery Grant. "This work significantly
advances the potential clinical use of human embryonic stem cells for
spinal cord injury," stated Thomas B. Okarma Ph.D., M.D., Geron's
president and chief executive officer. "We are actively engaged in
IND-enabling preclinical studies in pursuit of this goal."
Geron is a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and
commercializing therapeutic and diagnostic products for cancer based
on its telomerase technology, and cell-based therapeutics using its
human embryonic stem cell technology. |
