Stemcells and inflammation – Lou Brundin's research group

The effects of inflammation on neural stem cells

Stemcells and inflammation

During injuries and inflammation in the central nervous system neural stem/progenitor cells are activated to migrate into the injury. A limited replacement of the injured tissue can be achieved by differentiation of the progenitor cells. The replacement of oligodendrocytes which occurs in the early phases of multiple sclerosis is an example of this mechanism.

Our group works to identify mechanisms important for the regeneration from progenitor cells and how these mechanisms are affected by inflammatory mediators. We have demonstrated that some components in the inflammatory cascade such as nitric oxide can change the fate of the progenitor cells and hampers neurogenesis. We have also demonstrated that progenitor cells carry receptors which on stimulation can cause the release of proinflammatory cytokines from these cells. The aim of our research is to improve the restoration and limit the injury by preservation of restorative mechanisms in the CNS. Our research group consists of neurologists, neurosurgeons and neurobiologists.

Research Projects

  •     Adult neural stem cells in neuroinflammation
  •     Neural stem cells a potential source of remyelination in neuroinflammatory disease
  •     Neurogenesis in the adult spinal cord experimental models of multiple sclerosis
  •     Effects of nitric oxide on neurogenesis from adult neural stem cells
  •     Proliferation, migration and differentiation of neural progenitor cells
  •     Biomarkers for disease activity in multiple sclerosis
  •     Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in multiple sclerosis

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Publications

Selected publications

Staff and contact

Group leader

All members of the group