Novel perspectives of neural stem cell differentiation: From neurotransmitters to therapeutics

Abstract

In the past years, many reports have described the existence of neural progenitor and stem cells in the adult central nervous system capable of generating new neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. This discovery has overturned the central assumption in the neuroscience field, of no new neurons being originated in the brain after birth and provided the fundaments to understand the molecular basis of neural differentiation and to develop new therapies for neural tissue repair. Although the mechanisms underlying cell fate during neural development are not yet understood, the importance of intrinsic and extrinsic factors and of an appropriate microenvironment is well known. In this context, emerging evidence strongly suggests that glial cells play a key role in controlling multiple steps of neurogenesis. Those cells, of particular radial glia, are important for migration, cell specification, and integration of neurons into a functional neural network. This review aims to present an update in the neurogenesis area and highlight the modulation of neural stem cell differentiation by neurotransmitters, growth factors, and their receptors, with possible applications for cell therapy strategies of neurological disorders.

Perspectives of purinergic signaling in stem cell differentiation and tissue regeneration

“…The absence of this molecule in patients with PD generates tremor rigidity, postural instability, and loss of motor coordination affecting writing capability among other disturbances. Increased survival is achieved by surgical therapies and medications, principally based on administration of L-DOPA, but its prolonged use may generate uncontrollable movements known as dyskinesia [63,64]. Purinergic signaling has implications in PD, since treatment with ATP enhances the release of dopamine from dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra.…”

“…Purinergic signaling has implications in PD, since treatment with ATP enhances the release of dopamine from dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. However, at the same time, ATP release may activate P2X7 receptors expressed by neighboring cells thereby promoting cell death and contributing to an increase of the necrotic volume [62][63][64][65]. Furthermore, Feuvre et al [66] provided evidence that P2X7 receptor activation following ATP release induces expression of proteins involved in the inflammatory response followed by liberation of cytokines.…”

Stem cells of the adult cornea: From cytometric markers to therapeutic applications

“…During mitosis, stem cells renew themselves, e.g., at least one of the daughter cells preserves its ''stemness''. However, stem cells can exhibit an impressive proliferative capacity upon tissue injury or in culture (41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46). The slow cycling of limbal stem cells allowed their detection as label retaining cells (13).…”

Phenotypes of stem cells from diverse origin

“…Therefore, we asked all authors to revisit the table and upgrade their part either by own data or based on additional literature, as necessary. This resulted in the upgraded Table 1 showing phenotypes of very small embryonic-like stem cells (vSELs) (5,6), neural stem cells (NSCs) (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16), hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from two organs (4,17), MSCs (4,18), EpSC (4), limbal epithelial stem cells (LSCs) (19), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from different organs (3,4,(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), supra-adventitial adipose stromal cells (SA-ASCs) (3,(22)(23)(24)(25), adipose pericytes (pericyte) (3,(22)(23)(24)(25), and finally cancer stem cells (CSCs) (26).…”