British researchers from Edinburgh under the direction of Tilo Kunath have bred iPS cells – so-called induced pluripotent stem cells - from skin cells of a female patient who suffers from a hereditary form of Parkinsons disease. From these iPS cells they developed dopamine producing nerve cells which showed characteristics of diseased brain cells.

A lung model based on human lung cells and using the Air Liquid Interface (ALI) technique has been tested independently in four German test laboratories. They achieved good and reproducible results which is a first step towards the development of an in vitro replacement method for testing the cytotoxic effects of gases.

A new innovative journal make it possible to publish unsuccessful experimental results or results which are not accepted by established scientific magazines.

With the development of astrocytes from embryonic stem cells the basis is laid for the development of cell-based in vitro tests and analysis methods which allow investigation of the effects of toxic substances on the brain.

In the context of his dissertation work at the Doerenkamp-Zbinden chair of Prof. Dr. Marcel Leist, University of Constance, Philipp Kügler successfully generated astrocytes from embryonic stem cells. The glial cells in the central nervous system are mainly made up of astrocytes, whose name derives from the shape of their cell type which is like a branched star. The prospective use of astrocytes in in vitro neurotoxicology is meaningful primarily because microglial cells gained from mammals have been used until now. These microglial cells serve as an active immune defence in the nervous system whereas astrocytes do not have this function.

One of the main functions of astrocytes is supplying neurons with energy taken from blood capillaries and, further, they can transform themselves into neurons if required. They have a decisive influence on the brain´s neurons. Without astrocytes, neurons would create meaningless synapses. For this reason it is important to investigate the effects of toxic substances on astrocytes separately.

In his research, Kügler has already shown that astrocyt testing is an important aspect in measuring the effects of substances on the brain.

The junior researcher also succeeded in obtaining a pure astrocyte cell culture without the disturbing influence of other cell types like microglial cells.

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Universität Konstanz
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Philipp Kügler
Universität Konstanz
Graduiertenschule Chemische Biologie
78457 Konstanz
Telefon: 07531 / 88-5074
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