Abstract
In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Di Giorgio et al. (2008) and Marchetto et al. (2008) culture motor neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells with astrocytes expressing mutant SOD1. In these human ALS models, motor neurons are selectively destroyed by mutant astrocyte-secreted factors, and potential neuroprotective pathways are revealed.
MeSH terms
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / metabolism
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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / physiopathology*
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Astrocytes / metabolism*
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Cell Communication / physiology
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Embryonic Stem Cells / physiology*
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Humans
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Models, Biological
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Motor Neurons / metabolism
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Motor Neurons / pathology*
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Mutation / genetics
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Nerve Degeneration / metabolism
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Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology*
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Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
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Superoxide Dismutase-1
Substances
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SOD1 protein, human
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Superoxide Dismutase
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Superoxide Dismutase-1