Speaker : Byung Gon Kim (Associate Professor, Ajou University School of Medicine) 

Date : 2011-12-14

Location : Room 108，Pharmacy Hall, Dankook University

Abstract : Stem cell transplantation holds promise to promote anatomical repair and functional recovery after traumatic or ischemic injuries in CNS. Harnessing stem cells with therapeutic genes of interest is regarded as an attractive approach to augment therapeutic benefits of stem cell grafts. The advantage of stem cell-mediated gene transfer is the engraftibility of stem cells that can ensure a long-term and stable expression of therapeutic genes. In addition, stem cell-gene interaction may synergistically amplify therapeutic benefits. Delivery of classical neurotrophic factor genes provided neuroprotective and pro-regenerative effects in various injury models. Some studies employed therapeutic genes targeting post-injury microenvironment to support endogenous repair. Recent trials of stem cell-mediated transfer of nonclassical growth factors showed relatively novel biological effects. Combinatorial strategies seem to have the potential to improve therapeutic efficacy. Future development of induced pluripotent stem cells and novel scaffolding biomaterials will greatly expedite the advances of the ex vivo gene therapy to treat CNS injury. Before moving to the clinical stage, rigorous preclinical evaluation to identify an optimal gene or gene combination in different injury settings needs to be performed. Improving the safety of viral vectors will be a critical prerequisite for the clinical translation.