Classic and novel stem cell niches in brain homeostasis and repair

Abstract

Neural stem cells (NSCs) critical for the continued production of new neurons and glia are sequestered in distinct areas of the brain called stem cell niches. Until recently, only two forebrain sites, the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the anterolateral ventricle and the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the hippocampus, have been recognized adult stem cell niches (Alvarez-Buylla and Lim, 2004; Doetsch et al., 1999a, 1999b; Doetsch, 2003a, 2003b; Lie et al., 2004; Ming and Song, 2005). Nonetheless, the last decade has been witness to a growing literature suggesting that in fact the adult brain contains stem cell niches along the entire extent of the ventricular system. These niches are capable of widespread neurogenesis and gliogenesis, particularly after injury (Barnabé-Heider et al., 2010; Carlén et al., 2009; Decimo et al., 2012; Lin et al., 2015; Lindvall and Kokaia, 2008; Robins et al., 2013) or other inductive stimuli (Bennett et al., 2009; Cunningham et al., 2012; Decimo et al., 2011; Kokoeva et al., 2007, 2005; Lee et al., 2012a, 2012b; Migaud et al., 2010; Pencea et al., 2001b; Sanin et al., 2013; Suh et al., 2007; Sundholm-Peters et al., 2004; Xu et al., 2005; Zhang et al., 2007). This review focuses on the role of these novel and classic brain niches in maintaining adult neurogenesis and gliogenesis in response to normal physiological and injury-related pathological cues. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Neuroprotection.

Neural Stem Cells and Nutrients: Poised Between Quiescence and Exhaustion

“…More recently, the hypothalamus has been identified as a third important neurogenic area in the mammalian brain [12,13] (see Figure I in Box 1).…”

Cardiotrophin-1: A multifaceted cytokine

“…It has been suggested that CT-1 levels within CSF are controlled by a release mechanism dependent on CP dynamics and structural integrity. CP have been sometimes considered as a circumventricular organs (CVOs) [64] containing potential niches of stem/precursor cells that can be activated by injury [65,66]. In line with this observation, Ochiai and coworkers demonstrated that CT-1 was able to signal in fetal neuroepithelial cells (also called neuron stem cells, NSC, in the early-gestational to mid-gestational stages) and to induce premature astrocyte formation in cultured cortical precursors in a synergistic manner with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 via a gp130-JAK-STAT3 pathway.…”

Impact of electromagnetic fields on stem cells: common mechanisms at the crossroad between adult neurogenesis and osteogenesis

“…It is currently accepted that a combination of niche signals and cell intrinsic programs orchestrate the transition from an undifferentiated stem cell state to a progenitor cell committed to the final fate. Among multiple sources of adult stem cells, neural SCs (NSCs) and mesenchymal SCs (MSCs) have been intensively studied for their role in brain and bone physiology as well as for their potential use in cell-based therapies for treating neurological/neurodegenerative diseases and for reconstructive surgery, respectively (Yamaguchi, 2014; Hayrapetyan et al, 2015; Lin and Iacovitti, 2015). …”