Review
Cell Biology
Samantha N. Lanjewar, Steven A. Sloan
Summary: Research on human glial development and their role in neurodevelopmental disorders utilizes novel 2D cell culture protocols, 3D organoid models, and bioengineered systems derived from human stem cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaosu Li, Guoping Liu, Lin Yang, Zhenmeiyu Li, Zhuangzhi Zhang, Zhejun Xu, Yuqun Cai, Heng Du, Zihao Su, Ziwu Wang, Yangyang Duan, Haotian Chen, Zicong Shang, Yan You, Qi Zhang, Miao He, Bin Chen, Zhengang Yang
Summary: The study elucidates the development of mouse cortical radial glial cells into intermediate progenitors and different subtypes of neural cells. It provides insights into the genetic logic underlying the specification and differentiation of cortical glial cells and OB interneurons.
NEUROSCIENCE BULLETIN
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Solene Clavreul, Laura Dumas, Karine Loulier
Summary: In the mammalian brain, astrocytes form a diverse population with variations in morphology, molecular makeup, function, and location. Recent studies have shed light on the development and maturation of astrocytes in the cerebral cortex, providing a better understanding of their diversity. However, the origins of this diversity are still unclear, and further research using advanced tools and techniques is underway.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel Dan Liu, Joy Q. He, Rahul Sinha, Anna E. Eastman, Angus M. Toland, Maurizio Morri, Norma F. Neff, Hannes Vogel, Nobuko Uchida, Irving L. Weissman
Summary: The human brain undergoes rapid development during mid-gestation, and neural stem and progenitor cells (NSPCs) play a key role in this process. However, the lack of precise purification methods has hindered the functional study of NSPCs. In this study, researchers developed a method to isolate ten distinct NSPC types from the developing human brain using cell-surface markers. These isolated cells were able to differentiate into various neural lineages, providing a valuable framework for studying the functions of different cell types in human neurodevelopment.
Review
Cell Biology
Daniel Z. Radecki, Jayshree Samanta
Summary: Oligodendrogenesis in the adult mammalian brain varies in different regions, with the subventricular zone and the subgranular zone being the primary regions of adult neurogenesis.
Article
Neurosciences
Caleb A. Doll, Kayt Scott, Bruce Appel
Summary: Research has found that Fmrp regulates cell specification in pMN progenitor cells, leading to fewer motor neurons and excess OPCs in fmr1 mutant zebrafish, while also promoting the differentiation of OPCs. The results suggest that Fmrp has cell stage-specific requirements for the specification and differentiation of oligodendrocyte lineage cells.
Article
Cell Biology
Zhongfu Shen, Yang Lin, Jiajun Yang, David J. Jorg, Yuwei Peng, Xiuli Zhang, Yifan Xu, Luisirene Hernandez, Jian Ma, Benjamin D. Simons, Song-Hai Shi
Summary: This study reveals the precise behavior of radial glial progenitors (RGPs) and the gliogenesis program in the mouse neocortex at single-cell resolution, showing the transition from neurogenesis to gliogenesis and the role of fate-restricted intermediate precursor cells (IPCs) in producing astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. It also highlights the impact of clonal loss of tumor suppressor Neurofibromatosis type 1 in excessive production of glia, especially oligodendrocyte precursor cells, quantitatively delineating the cellular program of neocortical gliogenesis and suggesting the cellular origin of primary brain tumors.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adalberto Merighi, Nadia Gionchiglia, Alberto Granato, Laura Lossi
Summary: The gamma phosphorylated form of histone H2AX, known as gamma H2AX, was discovered over 40 years ago and has been found to play a crucial role in the cellular response to DNA damage. It is involved in various cellular functions in both normal and pathological cells. Particularly, its involvement in the central nervous system, from immature to mature neurons, highlights its importance in neurogenesis and neuronal cell death, showcasing its pleiotropic nature with diverse functions from embryonic life to old age.
Review
Cell Biology
Milena Tucic, Vera Stamenkovic, Pavle Andjus
Summary: TnC plays a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation and migration during adult neurogenesis, with implications for regenerative therapies. Understanding ECM signaling in the CNS niche is essential for potential therapeutic applications.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Susana Ramos, Zarmeen M. Mussa, Elisa N. Falk, Balagopal Pai, Bruno Giotti, Kimaada Allette, Peiwen Cai, Fumiko Dekio, Robert Sebra, Kristin G. Beaumont, Alexander M. Tsankov, Nadejda M. Tsankova
Summary: This study captures the transience and diversity of cells during mid to late prenatal development using human transcriptomics, including glial progenitor signatures.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Anneline Pinson, Wieland B. Huttner
Summary: The evolutionary expansion of the neocortex is primarily due to an increased and prolonged proliferation of neural progenitor cells, with basal progenitors playing a key role in the generation of neurons. Recent studies have identified primate-specific and human-specific genes that promote increased proliferative capacity of cortical progenitors.
CURRENT OPINION IN CELL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Yingxun Liu, Junrong Ren, Mengsi Kang, Chenyang Zhai, Qiangqiang Cheng, Jin Li, Yuzi Wu, Xiaofei Ruan, Jinlong Zhou, Juan Fan, Yingfang Tian
Summary: Research shows that PGRN treatment promotes acute functional recovery and stimulates neurogenesis in the subventricular zone after cerebral ischemia, which is beneficial for long-term recovery. The increase in neurogenesis may be associated with activation of the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt pathways, suggesting a potential new strategy utilizing PGRN in ischemic stroke therapy.
Article
Developmental Biology
Matthieu X. Moreau, Yoann Saillour, Andrzej W. Cwetsch, Alessandra Pierani, Frederic Causeret
Summary: This study utilized single-cell RNAseq to uncover the diversity of progenitors and neurons along the dorso-ventral axis of the developing pallium. The data suggest that discrete neuronal fate acquisition from a continuous gradient of progenitors results from the superimposition of spatial information and temporal maturation.
Article
Cell Biology
Bang Li, Hui Zhao, Zhuchi Tu, Weili Yang, Rui Han, Lu Wang, Xiaopeng Luo, Mingtian Pan, Xiusheng Chen, Jiawei Zhang, Huijuan Xu, Xiangyu Guo, Sen Yan, Peng Yin, Zhiguang Zhao, Jianrong Liu, Yafeng Luo, Yuefeng Li, Zhengyi Yang, Baogui Zhang, Zhiqiang Tan, Hao Xu, Tianzi Jiang, Yong-hui Jiang, Shihua Li, Yong Q. Zhang, Xiao-Jiang Li
Summary: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that disrupts social interaction and behavior. Mutations in the CHD8 gene lead to autism symptoms and increased head size through a mechanism called haploinsufficiency. The use of primates as a model system revealed that CHD8 mutations caused increased gliogenesis, resulting in macrocephaly. The findings suggest that abnormal gliogenesis may play a role in the development of ASD.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Nan Hu, Linqing Zou
Summary: HES proteins are bHLH transcription factors that regulate the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, critically involved in nervous system development. Their oscillatory expression levels allow for complex regulation of downstream genes, while acting as hubs for molecular crosstalk among signaling pathways.
ANNALS OF ANATOMY-ANATOMISCHER ANZEIGER
(2022)