Novel cellular approaches to repair of neurodegenerative disease: From Sertoli cells to umbilical cord blood stem cells

Neural transplantation is a promising approach to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and brain injury that has been shown to be efficacious in many animal models. However, the use of fetal tissue limits the acceptability and widespread application of this technique. In this review we discuss possible alternatives cell sources that may be used to repair the brain and spinal cord, with a focus on Sertoli cells, hNT Neurons, bone marrow and umbilical cord blood derived stem cells.