Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Generation of Induced Neural Stem Cells from Peripheral Mononuclear Cells and Differentiation Toward Dopaminergic Neuron Precursors for Transplantation Studies
12:13

Generation of Induced Neural Stem Cells from Peripheral Mononuclear Cells and Differentiation Toward Dopaminergic Neuron Precursors for Transplantation Studies

Published on: July 11, 2019

Cripto as a target for improving embryonic stem cell-based therapy in Parkinson's disease

Clare L Parish1, Silvia Parisi, Maria G Persico

  • 1Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, CNR, Naples, Italy.

Stem Cells (Dayton, Ohio)
|March 26, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Using knockout embryonic stem (ES) cells lacking the Cripto gene enhances dopamine cell production for Parkinson's disease therapy. These cells promote recovery without tumor formation, offering a promising therapeutic approach.

Area of Science:

  • Stem cell biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental biology

Background:

  • Embryonic stem (ES) cells are potential therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders.
  • Challenges include understanding ES cell differentiation and preventing tumor formation.
  • Cripto, an EGF-CFC protein, is implicated in neural induction signaling in ES cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Cripto in ES cell differentiation for Parkinson's disease therapy.
  • To assess the therapeutic potential of Cripto-deficient ES cells in a Parkinsonian rat model.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro differentiation of Cripto(-/-) ES cells.
  • Transplantation of differentiated cells into the brains of Parkinsonian rats.
  • Evaluation of behavioral and anatomical recovery and tumor formation.

Main Results:

  • Cripto(-/-) ES cells showed increased in vitro dopaminergic differentiation.
  • Transplanted cells led to behavioral and anatomical recovery in Parkinsonian rats.
  • No tumor formation was observed in the transplanted animals.

Conclusions:

  • Cripto deficiency enhances dopaminergic differentiation of ES cells.
  • Knockout ES cells offer a potentially safer cell source for Parkinson's disease therapy by eliminating tumor risk.
  • This approach holds significant promise for cell replacement therapy in Parkinson's disease.

More Related Videos

Chemogenetic Regulation in Reprogrammed Stem Cell-derived Precursor Cells in Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases09:44

Chemogenetic Regulation in Reprogrammed Stem Cell-derived Precursor Cells in Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases

Published on: May 2, 2025

Lentiviral Vector Platform for the Efficient Delivery of Epigenome-editing Tools into Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Disease Models13:47

Lentiviral Vector Platform for the Efficient Delivery of Epigenome-editing Tools into Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Disease Models

Published on: March 29, 2019

Related Concept Videos

EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research01:21

EPS and iPS Cells in Disease Research

Embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells are excellent models for disease research because of their ability to self-renew and differentiate into most cell types. Somatic cells from a patient are isolated and reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs. These iPSCs are later differentiated into the desired cell type, which mirrors the diseased cell of the patient. In this way, disease models have been created for investigating diseases such as Down syndrome, type I diabetes,...
iPS Cell Differentiation01:22

iPS Cell Differentiation

The ability of induced pluripotent stem cells or iPSCs to differentiate into most body cell types has stimulated repair and regenerative medicine research over the past few decades. iPSC-derived blood cells, hepatocytes, beta islet cells, cardiomyocytes, neurons, and other cell types can repair injuries or regenerate damaged tissue in diseases such as diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders.
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:13

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore called induced pluripotent stem...
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells01:06

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment01:24

Parkinson's Disease: Treatment

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's Disease (PD), involve the gradual and irreversible destruction of neurons in particular brain areas. These disorders exhibit standard features like proteinopathies, selective vulnerability of some neurons, and an interaction of intrinsic properties, genetics, and environmental influences in neural injury.
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of its...
Parkinson's Disease: Overview01:15

Parkinson's Disease: Overview

Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive diseases that cause irreversible damage and loss to neurons in specific brain areas. Examples of these disorders include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). These disorders share characteristics such as proteinopathies, selective neuronal vulnerability, and a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. The primary therapeutic goal for these conditions is to...