A groundbreaking study has revealed that astrocytes, a type of brain cell, can transform into nerve cells through changes in DNA methylation. Researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) found that astrocytes in specific brain regions have a unique methylation pattern, allowing them to generate nerve cells.
This process can be triggered by a lack of blood supply, such as in a stroke, which reprograms astrocytes to form new neurons. The study’s findings could pave the way for new therapies that repair brain damage by stimulating the production of nerve cells.
Key takeaways from this research include:
* Astrocytes can transform into nerve cells through changes in DNA methylation.
* Brain injuries or strokes trigger astrocytes to reprogram and form new neurons.
* Future therapies may target this process to repair brain damage and treat nerve diseases.
The study, led by Ana Martin-Villalba, a stem cell researcher at the DKFZ, analyzed gene expression and methylation patterns in ordinary astrocytes and brain stem cells from adult mice. The researchers found that brain stem cells have a unique DNA methylation pattern that allows them to activate genes necessary for producing nerve cells.
The study also showed that a lack of blood supply can trigger reprogramming of astrocytes into brain stem cells, leading to an increase in new neuron formation. This process could be exploited to repair damaged areas of the brain and treat neurological disorders.
Overall, this research has significant implications for our understanding of brain development and regeneration, and may lead to the development of new therapies for repairing brain damage and treating neurological diseases.
Source: https://neurosciencenews.com/epigenetics-astrocytes-neurons-27609/