Potential roles of stem cell marker genes in axon regeneration

Abstract

Understanding which genes are switched on/off in nerve cells in response to injury may help develop new treatments to repair nerves. Nerve cells can be cued to regenerate in both the central (brain and spinal cord) and peripheral nervous systems. Studying patterns of post-injury gene activation may allow therapeutic boosting of injury-responsive genes to cue nerve regrowth. Jinyoung Lee and Yongcheol Cho at Korea University, Seoul, South Korea have reviewed those genes identified as markers of stem cells (cells with high regenerative capacity) that are differentially regulated in nerve cells. They present several promising target genes for further study, noting that little is known of the mechanisms underlying regeneration or the interacting genetic pathways. These results point the way to identifying genetic targets to improve treatment for nerve damage.