Gender	Male
E-mail	victor.friedrich@mssm.edu
Education and Training	Ph.D., Harvard University

Education and Training	Ph.D., Harvard University

Neuroglia and Neural Development

My research analyses the development of neuroglia and of myelin and explores the potential of genetically modified, transplanted neuroglia for therapy of some CNS disorders.

CNS-derived neuroglial cells -astrocytes and oligodendrocytes- arise for the most part from mitotic progenitor cells generated near the ventricular zone. During development the progenitors spread throughout the surrounding brain and spinal cord. We are studying both the origin and migratory behavior of neuroglial progenitors by transplanting transgenically marked CNS cell preparations into normal unmarked recipients at various developmental ages and determining the location and identity of cells derived from the transplants.

These experiments reveal basic mechanisms of gliogenesis. In addition, neuroglial progenitors are susceptible to in vitro genetic engineering. Since they by their nature disperse during development neuroglial cells, genetically modified for secretion and transplanted into diseased recipients, might effectively deliver therapeutic substances such as growth factors or lysosomal enzymes throughout the CNS. In collaboration with other laboratories at Mount Sinai, we are examining the migration of transplanted neuroglia in mice with various CNS diseases. We will eventually test the therapeutic potential of engineered neuroglia, those mouse models with the aim of developing therapeutic strategies for human disorders.

Hardy RJ, Friedrich V. Progressive remodeling of the oligodendrocyte process arbor during myelinogenesis. Dev Neurosci 1996; 18(4): 243-54.

Gregory E, Tezapsidis N, Carter J, Shioi J, Bouras C, Li HC, Johnston JM, Efthimiopoulos S, Friedrich V, Robakis N. Identification and neuron specific expression of the S182/presenilin I protein in human and rodent brains. J Neurosci Res 1996 Aug 1; 45(3): 308-20.

Hardy RJ, Friedrich V. Oligodendrocyte progenitors are generated throughout the embryonic mouse brain, but differentiate in restricted foci. Development 1996 Jul; 122(7): 2059-69.

Miranda SR, Erlich S, Visser JV, Gatt S, Dagan A, Friedrich V, Schuchman E. Bone Marrow Transplantation in Acid Sphingomyelinase-Deficient Mice: Engraftment and Cell Migration Into the Brain as a Function of Radiation, Age, and Phenotype . Blood 1997 Jul 1; 90(1): 444-452.