Ronald
E. Kalil
Neural Stem Cells, Adult Neurogenesis and the Injured Brain
E-mail: rekalil@wisc.edu
Research Strength: Development: Plasticity and Repair
When the brain is damaged, injured neurons die and typically
are not replaced. This cell death frequently results in a loss
of function by the affected region of the brain. However, if
neurons that have died could be replaced and their connections
rebuilt, normal function might be restored. There are two possible
approaches available to achieve this goal. One involves transplanting
neural stem cells to the injured brain, and then coaxing them
to differentiate into new, functionally appropriate neurons and
glial cells. The second approach acknowledges that new neurons
are produced in the brain throughout life, and endeavors to encourage
these newly generated neurons to replace those that have died.
We are investigating both of these approaches.
In previous work,
we have shown that embryonic neural stem cells transplanted
to the injured adult brain will survive and differentiate
into neurons and glial cells. Currently, we are studying methods
to enhance the survival and integration of transplanted cells.
In parallel with this research, we have discovered that cells
in several areas of the adult brain express the cytoskeletal
protein nestin. This suggests that these cells may be neural
stem cells or have stem cell-like properties. We now are characterizing
these nestin-positive cells in detail as a first step in determining
whether they may be capable of functioning as endogenous neural
stem cells.
The research underway is conducted in vitro and
in vivo, and spans molecular neurobiology to systems neuroscience.
However,
all of it converges on a common goal; to restore behavioral
function that has been compromised or lost because of brain
injury by
replacing cells that have died and rebuilding appropriate
neural connections.
Lab Website:
http://www.keck.bioimaging.wisc.edu/
Selected Publications:
- Rao, A.J. M.L. Hendrickson, S. Salamat, and R.E.
Kalil. 2005. Nestin expression by terminally differentiated
neurons
in the adult human brain. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr., Vol.
31. Online.
- Hendrickson,
M.L., A.J. Rao, and R.E. Kalil. 2005. Nestin Expression
by neurons in the dorsal neocortex of the early
postnatal rat brain. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr., Vol. 31 Online.
- Smith,
D.O., R.E. Kalil, and J.L. Rosenheimer. 2005. Voltage-gated
potassium channel expression in embryonic rat
neural progenitor cells. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr., Vol. 31.
Online.
- Rao, A.J., O.N. Demerdash, M.L. Hendrickson, and R.E. Kalil.
2004. Nestin expression by terminally differentiated neurons
in the adult brain. Soc. Neurosci. Abstr., Vol. 30. Online.
- Smith, D.O. and R.E. Kalil. 2004.
Electrical properties of embryonic rat neural stem cells. Soc.
Neurosci. Abstr., Vol.
30. Online.
- Hendrickson, M.L. and R.E. Kalil. 2003. Labeling of Neural
Progenitor Cells Transplanted to the Adult Brain with CFDA, SE.
Society
for Neuroscience, 2003. Online.
- Demerdash, O., J. Paulus, and R.E. Kalil. 2002. Widespread
Expression of Nestin By Cells in the Adult Brain. Society for
Neuroscience, 2002. Online.
- Stein, T., J. Fedynyshyn, and R.E. Kalil. 2002. Circulating
autoantibodies recognize and bind dying neurons following injury
to the brain. J. Neuropath and Exp. Neurol., 61: 1100-1108.
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