Characterization of neural stem cells and their progeny in the adult zebrafish optic tectum

In the adult teleost brain, proliferating cells are observed in a broad area, while these cells have a restricted distribution in adult mammalian brains. In the adult teleost optic tectum, most of the proliferating cells are distributed in the caudal margin of the periventricular gray zone (PGZ). We found that the PGZ is largely divided into 3 regions: 1 mitotic region and 2 post-mitotic regions—the superficial and deep layers. These regions are distinguished by the differential expression of several marker genes: pcna, sox2, msi1, elavl3, gfap, fabp7a, and s100β. Using transgenic zebrafish Tg (gfap:GFP), we found that the deep layer cells specifically express gfap:GFP and have a radial glial morphology. We noted that bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells in the mitotic region did not exhibit glial properties, but maintained neuroepithelial characteristics. Pulse chase experiments with BrdU-positive cells revealed the presence of self-renewing stem cells within the mitotic region. BrdU-positive cells differentiate into glutamatergic or GABAergic neurons and oligodendrocytes in the superficial layer and into radial glial cells in the deep layer. These results demonstrate that the proliferating cells in the PGZ contribute to neuronal and glial lineages to maintain the structure of the optic tectum in adult zebrafish.     

Wnt and Shh signals regulate neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation in the optic tectum of adult zebrafish

Adult neurogenesis occurs more commonly in teleosts, represented by zebrafish, than in mammals. Zebrafish is therefore considered a suitable model to study adult neurogenesis, for which the regulatory molecular mechanisms remain little known. Our previous study revealed that neuroepithelial‐like neural stem cells (NSCs) are located at the edge of the dorsomedial region. We also showed that Notch signaling inhibits NSC proliferation in this region. In the present study, we reported the expression of Wnt and Shh signaling components in this region of the optic tectum. Moreover, inhibitors of Wnt and Shh signaling suppressed NSC proliferation, suggesting that these pathways promote NSC proliferation. Shh is particularly required for maintaining Sox2‐positive NSCs. Our experimental data also indicate the involvement of these signaling pathways in neural differentiation from NSCs. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 1206–1220, 2017     

Large-scale generation of human iPSC-derived neural stem cells/early neural progenitor cells and their neuronal differentiation

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based technologies offer an unprecedented opportunity to perform high-throughput screening of novel drugs for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases. Such screenings require a robust and scalable method for generating large numbers of mature, differentiated neuronal cells. Currently available methods based on differentiation of embryoid bodies (EBs) or directed differentiation of adherent culture systems are either expensive or are not scalable. We developed a protocol for large-scale generation of neuronal stem cells (NSCs)/early neural progenitor cells (eNPCs) and their differentiation into neurons. Our scalable protocol allows robust and cost-effective generation of NSCs/eNPCs from iPSCs. Following culture in neurobasal medium supplemented with B27 and BDNF, NSCs/eNPCs differentiate predominantly into vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) positive neurons. Targeted mass spectrometry analysis demonstrates that iPSC-derived neurons express ligand-gated channels and other synaptic proteins and whole-cell patch-clamp experiments indicate that these channels are functional. The robust and cost-effective differentiation protocol described here for large-scale generation of NSCs/eNPCs and their differentiation into neurons paves the way for automated high-throughput screening of drugs for neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.     

Elimination of the geomagnetic field stimulates the proliferation of mouse neural progenitor and stem cells

Living organisms are exposed to the geomagnetic field (GMF) throughout their lifespan. Elimination of the GMF, resulting in a hypogeomagnetic field (HMF), leads to central nervous system dysfunction and abnormal development in animals. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying these effects have not been identified so far. Here, we show that exposure to an HMF (<200 nT), produced by a magnetic field shielding chamber, promotes the proliferation of neural progenitor/stem cells (NPCs/NSCs) from C57BL/6 mice. Following seven-day HMF-exposure, the primary neurospheres (NSs) were significantly larger in size, and twice more NPCs/NSCs were harvested from neonatal NSs, when compared to the GMF controls. The self-renewal capacity and multipotency of the NSs were maintained, as HMF-exposed NSs were positive for NSC markers (Nestin and Sox2), and could differentiate into neurons and astrocyte/glial cells and be passaged continuously. In addition, adult mice exposed to the HMF for one month were observed to have a greater number of proliferative cells in the subventricular zone. These findings indicate that continuous HMF-exposure increases the proliferation of NPCs/NSCs,in vitro and in vivo. HMF-disturbed NPCs/ NSCs production probably Affects brain development and function, which provides a novel clue for elucidating the cellular mechanisms of the bio-HMF response.     

Genetic approach to track neural cell fate decisions using human embryonic stem cells

With their capability to undergo unlimited self-renewal and to differentiate into all cell types in the body, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) hold great promise in human cell therapy. However, there are limited tools for easily identifying and isolating live hESC-derived cells. To track hESC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs), we applied homologous recombination to knock-in the mCherry gene into the Nestin locus of hESCs. This facilitated the genetic labeling of Nestin positive neural progenitor cells with mCherry. Our reporter system enables the visualization of neural induction from hESCs both in vitro (embryoid bodies) and in vivo (teratomas). This system also permits the identification of different neural subpopulations based on the intensity of our fluorescent reporter. In this context, a high level of mCherry expression showed enrichment for neural progenitors, while lower mCherry corresponded with more committed neural states. Combination of mCherry high expression with cell surface antigen staining enabled further enrichment of hESC-derived NPCs. These mCherry⁺NPCs could be expanded in culture and their differentiation resulted in a down-regulation of mCherry consistent with the loss of Nestin expression. Therefore, we have developed a fluorescent reporter system that can be used to trace neural differentiation events of hESCs.     

Purification and characterization of human neural stem and progenitor cells

1. Download : Download high-res image (245KB)
2. Download : Download full-size image

     

神经干细胞研究进展

神经干细胞研究是当今生命科学研究的热点之一。神经干细胞是神经系统发育过程中保留下来的具有自我更新和多分化潜能的原始细胞。随着对神经干细胞认识的不断深入,其临床应用前景与价值得到了越来越多研究者的肯定。从神经干细胞的生物学特征、来源、培养鉴定、分化及应用等几个方面对目前的研究做一概述。     

Heat shock protein 90 is involved in regulation of hypoxia-driven proliferation of embryonic neural stem/progenitor cells

Hypoxia may regulate the proliferation of diverse stem cells. Our previous study showed that hypoxia promoted the proliferation of embryonic neural stem/progenitor cells (NPCs) and that hypoxia inducible factor-1(HIF-1) was critical in this process. HIF-1 could be stabilized under hypoxic conditions, and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is an essential protein that controls the activity and stabilization of HIF-1α. In the present work, we investigate whether HSP90 is involved in proliferation of NPCs under hypoxia by regulating HIF-1α stabilization. Geldanamycin (GA), an HSP90 inhibitor, decreased the expression of HIF-1α in NPCs during hypoxia-driven proliferation and reduced the expression level of HIF-1α protein under hypoxia in a time-dependent manner. The proliferation of NPCs induced by hypoxia was inhibited after GA treatment for 24 h. Another HSP90 inhibitor, radicicol, had the same effect on NPCs as GA. Furthermore, the expression of erythropoietin (EPO) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in NPCs under hypoxia was suppressed by GA. The above data indicated that HSP90 might be involved in regulation of hypoxia-driven proliferation. Both institutes have contributed equally to this work.     

Optic nerve input‐dependent regulation of neural stem cell proliferation in the optic tectum of adult zebrafish

Adult neurogenesis attracts broad attention as a possible cure for neurological disorders. However, its regulatory mechanism is still unclear. Therefore, they have been studying the cell proliferation mechanisms of neural stem cells (NSCs) using zebrafish, which have high regenerative potential in the adult brain. The presence of neuroepithelial‐type NSCs in the optic tectum of adult zebrafish has been previously reported. In the present study, it was first confirmed that NSCs in the optic tectum decrease or increase in proportion to projection of the optic nerves from the retina. At 4 days after optic nerve crush (ONC), BrdU‐positive cells decreased in the optic tectum's operation side. In contrast, at 3 weeks after ONC, BrdU‐positive cells increased in the optic tectum's operation side. To study the regulatory mechanisms, they focused on the BDNF/TrkB system as a regulatory factor in the ONC model. It was found that bdnf was mainly expressed in the periventricular gray zone (PGZ) of the optic tectum by using in situ hybridization. Interestingly, expression level of bdnf significantly decreased in the optic tectum at 4 days after ONC, and its expression level tended to increase at 3 weeks after ONC. They conducted rescue experiments using a TrkB agonist and confirmed that decrease of NSC proliferation in the optic tectum by ONC was rescued by TrkB signal activation, suggesting stimuli‐dependent regulation of NSC proliferation in the optic tectum of adult zebrafish. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 77: 419–437, 2017     

ZDHHC16 modulates FGF/ERK dependent proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells in the zebrafish telencephalon

In vertebrates, neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) maintenance is critical for nervous system development and homeostasis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of NSPCs have not been fully elucidated. Here, we demonstrated that zebrafish ZDHHC16, a DHHC encoding protein, which was related to protein palmitoylation after translation, was expressed in the developing forebrain, and especially in the telencephalon. Loss‐ and gain‐of‐function studies showed that ZDHHC16 played a crucial role in the regualtion of NSPCs proliferation during zebrafish telencephalic development, via a mechanism dependent on its palmitoyltransferase activity. Further analyses showed that the inhibition of ZDHHC16 led to inactivation of the FGF/ERK signaling pathway during telencephalic NSPCs proliferation and maintenance. Taken together, our results suggest that ZDHHC16 activity is essential for early NSPCs proliferation where it acts to activate the FGF/ERK network, allowing for the initiation of proliferation –regulated gene expression programs. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 76: 1014–1028, 2016     

Akhirin regulates the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in intact and injured mouse spinal cord

Although the central nervous system is considered a comparatively static tissue with limited cell turnover, cells with stem cell properties have been isolated from most neural tissues. The spinal cord ependymal cells show neural stem cell potential in vitro and in vivo in injured spinal cord. However, very little is known regarding the ependymal niche in the mouse spinal cord. We previously reported that a secreted factor, chick Akhirin, is expressed in the ciliary marginal zone of the eye, where it works as a heterophilic cell‐adhesion molecule. Here, we describe a new crucial function for mouse Akhirin (M‐AKH) in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of progenitors in the mouse spinal cord. During embryonic spinal cord development, M‐AKH is transiently expressed in the central canal ependymal cells, which possess latent neural stem cell properties. Targeted inactivation of the AKH gene in mice causes a reduction in the size of the spinal cord and decreases BrdU incorporation in the spinal cord. Remarkably, the expression patterns of ependymal niche molecules in AKH knockout (AKH?/?) mice are different from those of AKH+/+, both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we provide evidence that AKH expression in the central canal is rapidly upregulated in the injured spinal cord. Taken together, these results indicate that M‐AKH plays a crucial role in mouse spinal cord formation by regulating the ependymal niche in the central canal. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 75: 494–504, 2015     

The culture of neural stem cells

A stem cell has three important features. Firstly, the ability of self‐renewal: making identical copies of itself. Secondly, multipotency, generating all the major cell lineages of the host tissue (in the case of embryonic stem cells—pluripotency). Thirdly, the ability to generate/regenerate tissues. Thus, the study of stem cells will help unravel the complexity of tissue development and organisation, and will also have important clinical applications. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are present during embryonic development and in certain regions of the adult central nervous system (CNS). Mobilizing adult NSCs to promote repair of injured or diseased CNS is a promising approach. Since NSCs may give rise to brain tumor, they represent in vitro models for anti‐cancer drug screening. To facilitate the use of NSCs in clinical scenarios, we need to explore the biology of these cells in greater details. One clear goal is to be able to definitively identify and purify NSCs. The neurosphere‐forming assay is robust and reflects the behavior of NSCs. Clonal analysis where single cells give rise to neurospheres need to be used to follow the self‐renewal and multipotency characteristics of NSCs. Neurosphere formation in combination with other markers of NSC behavior such as active Notch signaling represents the state of the art to follow these cells. Many issues connected with NSC biology need to be explored to provide a platform for clinical applications. Important future directions that are highlighted in this review are; identification of markers for NSCs, the use of NSCs in high‐throughput screens and the modelling of the central nervous development. There is no doubt that the study of NSCs is crucial if we are to tackle the diseases of the CNS such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 1–6, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

川芎嗪对体外培养的胎鼠神经干细胞增殖和分化的影响

目的：探讨川芎嗪（TMP）在体外神经干细胞（NSCs）增殖与分化中的作用。方法：原代提取孕14 d雌性大鼠的胎鼠大脑皮层分离培养,并作免疫荧光染色鉴定,取传代培养第3代的NSCs进行实验。实验分为对照组、β-巯基乙醇阳性对照组、TMP诱导组和TMP+EGTA组（n=4）。采用BrdU法和MTT法观察川芎嗪对NSCs增殖数量的影响,采用蛋白免疫印迹法检测NSCs的分化表达情况。结果：实验成功分离纯化原代NSCs,培养3~5 d可见部分神经球形成,具备典型的NSCs形态并表达NSCs特异抗原巢蛋白;BrdU法和MTT法结果均显示,与对照组和β-巯基乙醇阳性对照组相比,TMP组NSCs增殖数量明显增多（P<0.05）;蛋白免疫印迹结果显示,TMP组和TMP+EGTA组NSCs的神经元分化率明显增高,TMP+EGTA组分化率增高更明显（P<0.05）。结论：TMP能显著增强NSCs的增殖和神经元分化率。减少细胞外Ca²⁺可促进TMP诱导NSCs向神经元分化,Ca²⁺信号在TMP诱导NSCs向神经元分化过程中起重要作用。     

Neural progenitor cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells generated less autogenous immune response

The breakthrough development of induced pluripotent stem cells(iPSCs)raises the prospect of patient-specific treatment for many diseases through the replacement of affected cells.However,whether iPSC-derived functional cell lineages generate a deleterious immune response upon auto-transplantation remains unclear.In this study,we differentiated five human iPSC lines from skin fibroblasts and urine cells into neural progenitor cells(NPCs)and analyzed their immunogenicity.Through co-culture with autogenous peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs),we showed that both somatic cells and iPSC-derived NPCs do not stimulate significant autogenous PBMC proliferation.However,a significant immune reaction was detected when these cells were co-cultured with allogenous PBMCs.Furthermore,no significant expression of perforin or granzyme B was detected following stimulation of autogenous immune effector cells(CD3+CD8 T cells,CD3+CD8+T cells or CD3 CD56+NK cells)by NPCs in both PBMC and T cell co-culture systems.These results suggest that human iPSC-derived NPCs may not initiate an immune response in autogenous transplants,and thus set a base for further preclinical evaluation of human iPSCs.     

低糖低氧对神经干细胞增殖和代谢的影响

目的:本研究旨在探讨低糖低氧对大鼠神经干细胞增殖和代谢的影响。方法:实验采用不同葡萄糖浓度的培养基以及不同的氧浓度进行处理:高糖(4.5g/L)、低糖(1.4g/L);常氧(20%O2)、低氧(3%O2);神经干细胞(NSCs)来自孕13.5d的大鼠中脑,在不同糖浓度下培养至第三代进行低氧处理,分为低糖常氧(L+N)、低糖低氧(L+H)、高糖常氧(H+N)、高糖低氧(H+H)组。神经干细胞在上述四种条件下分别培养1、3、5d后,利用CCK-8检测神经干细胞的增殖情况;生化分析仪测定细胞培养上清液中葡萄糖、乳酸、丙酮酸浓度;RT-PCR方法检测葡萄糖转运蛋白4(GluT4)、葡萄糖激酶(GK)、丙酮酸激酶(PK)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)的表达变化。结果:在低糖低氧条件下培养3d时NSCs的数量增加最为明显;低糖低氧条件下,葡萄糖浓度降低最为显著;而丙酮酸浓度在低糖处理组均高于高糖处理组;同样地,在低糖低氧处理组培养上清中乳酸含量增加的幅度最大;此外,在低糖或低氧时Glut4和PK的表达也明显高于对照组。结论:低氧能促进NSCs的增殖,而以低氧和低糖共同作用时更为明显;在低氧低糖条件下,神经干细胞的代谢发生变化,葡萄糖的利用明显增加,主要通过糖酵解途径代谢产能。