BACKGROUND The development of regenerative therapy for human spinal cord injury(SCI)is dramatically restricted by two main challenges:the need for a safe source of functionally active and reproducible neural stem cell...BACKGROUND The development of regenerative therapy for human spinal cord injury(SCI)is dramatically restricted by two main challenges:the need for a safe source of functionally active and reproducible neural stem cells and the need of adequate animal models for preclinical testing.Direct reprogramming of somatic cells into neuronal and glial precursors might be a promising solution to the first challenge.The use of non-human primates for preclinical studies exploring new treatment paradigms in SCI results in data with more translational relevance to human SCI.AIM To investigate the safety and efficacy of intraspinal transplantation of directly reprogrammed neural precursor cells(drNPCs).METHODS Seven non-human primates with verified complete thoracic SCI were divided into two groups:drNPC group(n=4)was subjected to intraspinal transplantation of 5 million drNPCs rostral and caudal to the lesion site 2 wk post injury,and lesion control(n=3)was injected identically with the equivalent volume of vehicle.RESULTS Follow-up for 12 wk revealed that animals in the drNPC group demonstrated a significant recovery of the paralyzed hindlimb as well as recovery of somatosensory evoked potential and motor evoked potential of injured pathways.Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging data confirmed the intraspinal transplantation of drNPCs did not adversely affect the morphology of the central nervous system or cerebrospinal fluid circulation.Subsequent immunohistochemical analysis showed that drNPCs maintained SOX2 expression characteristic of multipotency in the transplanted spinal cord for at least 12 wk,migrating to areas of axon growth cones.CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated that drNPC transplantation was safe and contributed to improvement of spinal cord function after acute SCI,based on neurological status assessment and neurophysiological recovery within 12 wk after transplantation.The functional improvement described was not associated with neuronal differentiation of the allogeneic drNPCs.Instead,directed drNPCs migration to the areas of active growth cone formation may provide exosome and paracrine trophic support,thereby further supporting the regeneration processes.展开更多
Previous studies have shown that proliferation of endogenous neural precursor cells cannot alone compensate for the damage to neurons and axons. From the perspective of neural plastici- ty, we observed the effects of ...Previous studies have shown that proliferation of endogenous neural precursor cells cannot alone compensate for the damage to neurons and axons. From the perspective of neural plastici- ty, we observed the effects of functional electrical stimulation treatment on endogenous neural precursor cell proliferation and expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor in the rat brain on the infarct side. Functional electrical stimulation was performed in rat models of acute middle cerebral artery occlusion. Simultaneously, we set up a placebo stimulation group and a sham-operated group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that, at 7 and 14 days, compared with the placebo group, the numbers of nestin (a neural precursor cell marker)-positive cells in the subgranular zone and subventricular zone were increased in the functional electrical stimulation treatment group. Western blot assays and reverse-transcription PCR showed that total protein levels and gene expression of epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor were also upregulated on the infarct side. Prehensile traction test results showed that, at 14 days, prehension function of rats in the functional electrical stimulation group was significantly better than in the placebo group. These results suggest that functional electrical stimulation can promote endogenous neural precursor cell proliferation in the brains of acute cerebral infarction rats, enhance expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor, and improve the motor function of rats.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Choosing proper donor cells is one of keys in experimental and clinical studies on cell replacement therapy (CRT) for treating Parkinson disease (PD). Embryonic mesencephalic precursor cells (MPCs) ...BACKGROUND: Choosing proper donor cells is one of keys in experimental and clinical studies on cell replacement therapy (CRT) for treating Parkinson disease (PD). Embryonic mesencephalic precursor cells (MPCs) can stably differentiate into dopaminergic neuron after in vitro proliferated culture. As compared with embryonic stem cell and neural stem cell strains, cell composition of embryonic MPCs after primary culture is also the most close to that of embryonic mesencephalic ventral cell suspension without proliferated culture. Successful experience accumulated in the latter suggests that primary cultured embryonic MPCs might be the most potential donor cells in clinical application with CRT for treating PD so far. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of primary cultured embryonic precursor cells cultured primarily as donor cells in CRT for treating PD in rats. DESIGN : A randomized and controlled trial taking SD rats as experimental animals.SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University.MATERIALS: This experiment was carried out at the Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institute for Biological Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences from July 2003 to June 2004. Totally 26 female SD rats, with body mass of 200 to 220 g, were provided by Shanghai Experimental Animal Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences. METHODS : Stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the medial forebrain bundle were perfored to develop PD model rat. Among 26 SD rats, 20 rats achieved a more than 5 turns/min in apomorphine induced rotation test, reaching the standard of PD model rats. Immunohistochemical detection was performed on 1 out of 20 model rats after execution, and the other 19 rats were randomly divided into control group (n=5), sham transplantation group (n=5)and cell grafted group (n=9). Primary cultured E12 MPC cell suspension (1.2×10^11 L^-1)were used as donor cells. 4μL primary cultured E12 MPC cell suspension prepared freshly was injected into the lesioned corpus striatum of rats in cell grafted group, and 4μL D-Hank's solution was injected in sham transplantation group in the same way. There was no injection in control group. Apomorphine-induced rotation rate of PD rats were recorded respectively in cell grafted group and sham transplantation group pre-operation (initial value) and at postoperative 2, 4, 6 and 16 weeks. Apomorphine-induced rotation rate of PD rats was recorded in control group at postoperative 2 months (initial value) and following 2,4,6 and 16 weeks. To determine TH antigen with immunohistological ABC method (DAB developing) at 6 months post-transplantation to investigate the differentiation and survival of donor cells in the host body.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Apomorphine-induced rotation behavior before and after transplantation and the survival and differentiation of implanted cells in the host body at 6 months post-transplantation. RESULTS: Among 19 model rats, one rat died after transplantation respectively in the cell grafted group and sham transplantation group; finally 17 model rats entered the stage of result analysis. Relative apomorphine-induced rotation rate was significantly decreased in the cell grafted group as compared with that before transplantation , with significant difference (P 〈 0.01 .P 〈 0.05);the mean value of relative apomorphine-induced rotation rate was significantly decreased at postoperative 16 weeks in cell grafted group as compared with that of corresponding relative rotation rate in control group , also with significant difference (P 〈 0.05).Immunohistological results showed that donor cells could differentiate into large and multi-polar dopaminergic neurons in the host body. CONCLUSION : Primary cultured embryonic MPCs can be used as the donor cells in CRT for treating PD.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Cerebral injury in adult mammals can induce neural precursor cells (NPCs) to proliferate and migrate towards the focal zone, but it is unclear whether endogenous NPCs can migrate towards regions distal ...BACKGROUND: Cerebral injury in adult mammals can induce neural precursor cells (NPCs) to proliferate and migrate towards the focal zone, but it is unclear whether endogenous NPCs can migrate towards regions distal to the hemorrhagic focus or whether NPCs differentiate in the peripheral hemorrhagic region. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of endogenous NPCs in different brain regions of rats with experimental cerebral hemorrhage, as well as NPC proliferation and differentiation with time. DESIGN, TIME AND SE'B'ING: A randomized, controlled animal experiment was performed at the Department of Neurobiology, Luzhou Medical College, between January 2007 and October 2008. MATERIALS: Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was purchased from Roche, Germany. Mouse anti-rat BrdU monoclonal antibody, rabbit anti-nestin polyclonal antibody, rabbit anti-neuron specific enolase (NSE) polyclonal antibody were purchased from Wuhan Boster, China. Rabbit anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) polyclonal antibody was purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS: Thirty-five adult Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) cerebral hemorrhage group (n = 25), rats were stereotaxically administered 50 p L autologous arterial blood via the dorsal caudate putamen to induce cerebral hemorrhage; (2) sham-surgery group (n = 5), rats underwent surgery but did not receive blood injection; (3) blank control group (n = 5), rats received no surgery and blood administration. At 2 hours after surgery, all rats were intraperitoneally administered BrdU. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distribution and proliferation of BrdU-positive cells were observed by immunohistochemical staining. BrdU-positive cell differentiation into neurons and glial cells in the peripheral hemorrhagic region was detected by double-label immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry results revealed that BrdU-positive cells existed not only in the peripheral hemorrhagic region, such as the subependymal layer and hippocampal dentate gyrus, but also in the lateral septal nucleus, diagonal band, habenular nucleus, and cerebral cortex. Following cerebral hemorrhage, BrdU-positive cells in the peripheral hemorrhagic region gradually increased (P 〈 0.05), and peaked at 7 14 days. Double-label immunofluorescence showed that with time after cerebral hemorrhage, BrdU/nestin-positive cells decreased, but BrdU/GFAP- and BrdU/NSE-positive cells increased in the peripheral cerebral hemorrhagic region (P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cerebral hemorrhage can induce the proliferation of endogenous NPCs, which peaks at 1-2 weeks after hemorrhage. NPCs can also migrate towards the regions distal to the hemorrhagic focus, such as a diagonal band or lateral septal nucleus. NPCs can gradually differentiate with increasing time after hemorrhage.展开更多
Objective To investigate whether buffalo rat liver cell conditioned medium (BRL CM) can be used as the culture medium of embryonic stem (ES) cells, and to get relatively pure neural precursor cells (NPCs) for treat...Objective To investigate whether buffalo rat liver cell conditioned medium (BRL CM) can be used as the culture medium of embryonic stem (ES) cells, and to get relatively pure neural precursor cells (NPCs) for treatment aim. Methods Mouse ES cells were cultured in BRL CM and medium contain leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), respectively. NPCs were selectively cultured in serum free medium. Alkaline phosphatase activity was visualized with NBT/BCIP and nestin antigen was detected with immunocytochemical methods. Results BRL CM could be used as an efficiency culture condition instead of LIF in ES cells culture. About 86% of cells derived from ES cells in the serum free culture were NPCs. Conclusion BRL CM can replace LIF to use in ES cell culture. High purity of NPC can be induced from ES cells with serum free culture method.展开更多
Endogenous neural stem cells become "activated" after neuronal injury, but the activation sequence and fate of endogenous neural stem cells in focal cerebral ischemia model are little known. We evaluated the relatio...Endogenous neural stem cells become "activated" after neuronal injury, but the activation sequence and fate of endogenous neural stem cells in focal cerebral ischemia model are little known. We evaluated the relationships between neural stem cells and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in a photothromobotic rat stroke model using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. We also evaluated the chronological changes of neural stem cells by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine(BrdU) incorporation. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression was initially increased from 1 hour after ischemic injury, followed by vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α immunoreactivity was detected in the ipsilateral cortical neurons of the infarct core and peri-infarct area. Vascular endothelial growth factor immunoreactivity was detected in bilateral cortex, but ipsilateral cortex staining intensity and numbers were greater than the contralateral cortex. Vascular endothelial growth factor immunoreactive cells were easily found along the peri-infarct area 12 hours after focal cerebral ischemia. The expression of nestin increased throughout the microvasculature in the ischemic core and the peri-infarct area in all experimental rats after 24 hours of ischemic injury. Nestin immunoreactivity increased in the subventricular zone during 12 hours to 3 days, and prominently increased in the ipsilateral cortex between 3–7 days. Nestin-labeled cells showed dual differentiation with microvessels near the infarct core and reactive astrocytes in the peri-infarct area. BrdU-labeled cells were increased gradually from day 1 in the ipsilateral subventricular zone and cortex, and numerous BrdU-labeled cells were observed in the peri-infarct area and non-lesioned cortex at 3 days. BrdU-labeled cells rather than neurons, were mainly co-labeled with nestin and GFAP. Early expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor after ischemia made up the microenvironment to increase the neuronal plasticity of activated endogenous neural stem cells. Moreover, neural precursor cells after large-scale cortical injury could be recruited from the cortex nearby infarct core and subventricular zone.展开更多
There are few studies on the membrane protein Ankfyl. We have found Ankfyl is specifically expressed in neural stem/precursor cells during early development in mice (murine). To further explore Ankfyl function in ne...There are few studies on the membrane protein Ankfyl. We have found Ankfyl is specifically expressed in neural stem/precursor cells during early development in mice (murine). To further explore Ankfyl function in neural development, we developed a gene knockout mouse with a mixed Balb/C and C57/BL6 genetic background. Using immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization, neural defects were absent in mixed genetic Ankfyl null mice during development and in adults up to 2 months old. However, Ankfyl gene knockout mice with a pure genetic background were found to be lethal in the C57/BL6 inbred mice embryos, even after seven generations of backcrossing. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed homozygotes were unattainable as early as embryonic day 11.5. We conclude that Ankfyl protein is dispensable in neural stem/precursor ceils, but could be critical for early embryonic murine development, depending on the genetic background.展开更多
The best tissue-engineered spinal cord grafts not only match the structural characteristics of the spinal cord but also allow the seed cells to grow and function in situ.Platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) has been...The best tissue-engineered spinal cord grafts not only match the structural characteristics of the spinal cord but also allow the seed cells to grow and function in situ.Platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) has been shown to promote the migration of bone marrow stromal cells;however,cytokines need to be released at a steady rate to maintain a stable concentration in vivo.Therefore,new methods are needed to maintain an optimal concentration of cytokines over an extended period of time to effectively promote seed cell localization,proliferation and differentiation.In the present study,a partition-type tubular scaffold matching the anatomical features of the thoracic 8–10 spinal cord of the rat was fabricated using chitosan and then subsequently loaded with chitosan-encapsulated PDGF-BB microspheres(PDGF-MSs).The PDGF-MS-containing scaffold was then examined in vitro for sustained-release capacity,biocompatibility,and its effect on neural progenitor cells differentiated in vitro from multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring cells(MUSE-NPCs).We found that pre-freezing for 2 hours at-20°C significantly increased the yield of partition-type tubular scaffolds,and 30 μL of 25% glutaraldehyde ensured optimal crosslinking of PDGF-MSs.The resulting PDGF-MSs cumulatively released 52% of the PDGF-BB at 4 weeks in vitro without burst release.The PDGF-MS-containing tubular scaffold showed suitable biocompatibility towards MUSE-NPCs and could promote the directional migration and growth of these cells.These findings indicate that the combination of a partition-type tubular scaffold,PDGF-MSs and MUSENPCs may be a promising model for the fabrication of tissue-engineered spinal cord grafts.展开更多
Objective:Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)has high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide.Cancer stem cells(CSCs)may cause tumor initiation,metastasis,and recurrence and are also responsible for chemotherapy ...Objective:Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)has high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide.Cancer stem cells(CSCs)may cause tumor initiation,metastasis,and recurrence and are also responsible for chemotherapy and radiotherapy failures.Myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs),in contrast,are known to be involved in mediating immunosuppression.Here,we aimed to investigate the mechanisms of interaction of CSCs and MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment.Methods:ESCC tissues and cell lines were evaluated.Neural precursor cell expressed,developmentally downregulated 9(NEDD9)was knocked down and overexpressed by lentiviral transfection.Quantitative PCR,Western blot,immunohistochemistry,cell invasion,flow cytometry,cell sorting,multiplex chemokine profiling,and tumor growth analyses were performed.Results:Microarray analysis revealed 10 upregulated genes in esophageal CSCs.Only NEDD9 was upregulated in CSCs using the sphere-forming method.NEDD9 expression was correlated with tumor invasion(P=0.0218),differentiation(P=0.0153),and poor prognosis(P=0.0373).Additionally,NEDD9 was required to maintain the stem-like phenotype.Screening of chemokine expression in ESCC cells with NEDD9 overexpression and knockdown showed that NEDD9 regulated C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8(CXCL8)expression via the ERK pathway.CXCL8 mediated the recruitment of MDSCs induced by NEDD9 in vitro and in vivo.MDSCs promoted the stemness of ESCC cells through NEDD9 via the Notch pathway.Conclusions:As a marker of ESCC,NEDD9 maintained the stemness of ESCC cells and regulated CXCL8 through the ERK pathway to recruit MDSCs into the tumor,suggesting NEDD9 as a therapeutic target and novel prognostic marker for ESCC.展开更多
Adult hippocampal neurogenesis(AHN) is crucial for learning,memory,and emotion.Deficits of AHN may lead to reduced cognitive abilities and neurodegenerative disorders,such as Alzheimer’s disease.Extensive studies on ...Adult hippocampal neurogenesis(AHN) is crucial for learning,memory,and emotion.Deficits of AHN may lead to reduced cognitive abilities and neurodegenerative disorders,such as Alzheimer’s disease.Extensive studies on rodent AHN have clarified the developmental and maturation processes of adult neural stem/progenitor cells.However,to what extent these findings apply to primates remains controversial.Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have enabled in-depth investigation of the transcriptome of AHN-related populations at single-cell resolution.Here,we summarize studies of AHN in primates.Results suggest that neurogenesis is largely shared across species,but substantial differences also exist.Marker gene expression patterns in primates differ from those of rodents.Compared with rodents,the primate hippocampus has a higher proportion of immature dentate granule cells and a longer maturation period of newly generated granule cells.Future research on species divergence may deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying adult neurogenesis in primates.展开更多
Recent research has shown that defined sets of exogenous factors are sufficient to convert rodent and human somatic cells directly into induced neural stem cells or neural precursor cells(iNSCs/iNPCs).The process of...Recent research has shown that defined sets of exogenous factors are sufficient to convert rodent and human somatic cells directly into induced neural stem cells or neural precursor cells(iNSCs/iNPCs).The process of transdifferentiation bypasses the step of a pluripotent state and reduces the risk of tumorigenesis and genetic instability while retaining the self-renewing capacity.This iNSC/iNPC technology has fueled much excitement in regenerative medicine,as these cells can be differentiated into target cells for replacement therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.Patients' somatic cell-derived iNSCs/iNPCs have also been proposed to serve as disease models with potential value in both fundamental studies and clinical applications.This review focuses on the mechanisms,techniques,and applications of iNSCs/iNPCs from a series of related studies,as well as further efforts in designing novel strategies using iNSC/iNPC technology and its potential applications in neurodegenerative diseases.展开更多
Endogenous neurogenesis can arise from a variety of physiological stimuli including exercise, learning, or "enriched environment" as well as pathological conditions such as ischemia, epilepsy or cortical spreading d...Endogenous neurogenesis can arise from a variety of physiological stimuli including exercise, learning, or "enriched environment" as well as pathological conditions such as ischemia, epilepsy or cortical spreading depression. Whether all these conditions use a common trigger to set off endogenous neurogenesis is yet unclear. We hypothesized that cortical spreading depression(CSD) induces neurogenesis in the cerebral cortex and dentate gyrus after cerebral venous ischemia. Forty-two Wistar rats alternatively underwent sham operation(Sham), induction of ten CSDs or venous ischemia provoked via occlusion of two adjacent superficial cortical vein followed by ten induced CSDs(CSD + 2-VO). As an additional control, 15 na?ve rats received no intervention except 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine(Brd U) treatment for 7 days. Sagittal brain slices(40 μm thick) were co-stained for Brd U and doublecortin(DCX; new immature neuronal cells) on day 9 or Neu N(new mature neuronal cells) on day 28. On day 9 after sham operation, cell proliferation and neurogenesis occurred in the cortex in rats. The sole induction of CSD had no effect. But on days 9 and 28, more proliferating cells and newly formed neurons in the ipsilateral cortex were observed in rats subjected to CSD + 2VO than in rats subjected to sham operation. On days 9 and 28, cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the ipsilateral dentate gyrus was increased in sham-operated rats than in na?ve rats. Our data supports the hypothesis that induced cortical neurogenesis after CSD + 2-VO is a direct effect of ischemia, rather than of CSD alone.展开更多
Spinal cord injury has long been a prominent challenge in the trauma repair process. Spinal cord injury is a research hotspot by virtue of its difficulty to treat and its escalating morbidity. Furthermore, spinal cord...Spinal cord injury has long been a prominent challenge in the trauma repair process. Spinal cord injury is a research hotspot by virtue of its difficulty to treat and its escalating morbidity. Furthermore, spinal cord injury has a long period of disease progression and leads to complications that exert a lot of mental and economic pressure on patients. There are currently a large number of therapeutic strategies for treating spinal cord injury, which range from pharmacological and surgical methods to cell therapy and rehabilitation training. All of these strategies have positive effects in the course of spinal cord injury treatment. This review mainly discusses the problems regarding stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury, including the characteristics and action modes of all relevant cell types. Induced pluripotent stem cells, which represent a special kind of stem cell population, have gained impetus in cell therapy development because of a range of advantages. Induced pluripotent stem cells can be developed into the precursor cells of each neural cell type at the site of spinal cord injury, and have great potential for application in spinal cord injury therapy.展开更多
Angiogenesis is a key process in regenerative medicine generally, as well as in the specific field of nerve regeneration. However, no convenient and objective method for evaluating the angiogenesis of tissue-engineere...Angiogenesis is a key process in regenerative medicine generally, as well as in the specific field of nerve regeneration. However, no convenient and objective method for evaluating the angiogenesis of tissue-engineered nerves has been reported. In this study, tissue-engineered nerves were constructed in vitro using Schwann cells differentiated from rat skin-derived precursors as supporting cells and chitosan nerve conduits combined with silk fibroin fibers as scaffolds to bridge 10-mm sciatic nerve defects in rats. Four weeks after surgery, three-dimensional blood vessel reconstructions were made through MICROFIL perfusion and micro-CT scanning, and parameter analysis of the tissue-engineered nerves was performed. New blood vessels grew into the tissue-engineered nerves from three main directions: the proximal end, the distal end, and the middle. The parameter analysis of the three-dimensional blood vessel images yielded several parameters, including the number, diameter, connection, and spatial distribution of blood vessels. The new blood vessels were mainly capillaries and microvessels, with diameters ranging from 9 to 301 μm. The blood vessels with diameters from 27 to 155 μm accounted for 82.84% of the new vessels. The microvessels in the tissue-engineered nerves implanted in vivo were relatively well-identified using the MICROFIL perfusion and micro-CT scanning method, which allows the evaluation and comparison of differences and changes of angiogenesis in tissue-engineered nerves implanted in vivo.展开更多
Hippocampal neuronal loss causes cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rode...Hippocampal neuronal loss causes cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rodents and improves memory and slows cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.However,the molecular pathways for exercise-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognition in Alzheimer’s disease are poorly understood.Recently,regulator of G protein signaling 6(RGS6)was identified as the mediator of voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice.Here,we generated novel RGS6fl/fl;APP_(SWE) mice and used retroviral approaches to examine the impact of RGS6 deletion from dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells on voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition in an amyloid-based Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.We found that voluntary running in APP_(SWE) mice restored their hippocampal cognitive impairments to that of control mice.This cognitive rescue was abolished by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells,which also abolished running-mediated increases in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis was reduced in sedentary APP_(SWE) mice versus control mice,with basal adult hippocampal neurogenesis reduced by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells.RGS6 was expressed in neurons within the dentate gyrus of patients with Alzheimer’s disease with significant loss of these RGS6-expressing neurons.Thus,RGS6 mediated voluntary running-induced rescue of impaired cognition and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in APP_(SWE) mice,identifying RGS6 in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells as a possible therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease.展开更多
The central nervous system(CNS)has very restricted intrinsic regeneration ability under the injury or disease condition.Innovative repair strategies,therefore,are urgently needed to facilitate tissue regeneration and ...The central nervous system(CNS)has very restricted intrinsic regeneration ability under the injury or disease condition.Innovative repair strategies,therefore,are urgently needed to facilitate tissue regeneration and functional recovery.The published tissue repair/regeneration strategies,such as cell and/or drug delivery,has been demonstrated to have some therapeutic effects on experimental animal models,but can hardly find clinical applications due to such methods as the extremely low survival rate of transplanted cells,difficulty in integrating with the host or restriction of blood-brain barriers to administration patterns.Using biomaterials can not only increase the survival rate of grafts and their integration with the host in the injured CNS area,but also sustainably deliver bioproducts to the local injured area,thus improving the microenvironment in that area.This review mainly introduces the advances of various strategies concerning facilitating CNS regeneration.展开更多
基金Supported by Russian Science Foundation,No.16-15-10432。
文摘BACKGROUND The development of regenerative therapy for human spinal cord injury(SCI)is dramatically restricted by two main challenges:the need for a safe source of functionally active and reproducible neural stem cells and the need of adequate animal models for preclinical testing.Direct reprogramming of somatic cells into neuronal and glial precursors might be a promising solution to the first challenge.The use of non-human primates for preclinical studies exploring new treatment paradigms in SCI results in data with more translational relevance to human SCI.AIM To investigate the safety and efficacy of intraspinal transplantation of directly reprogrammed neural precursor cells(drNPCs).METHODS Seven non-human primates with verified complete thoracic SCI were divided into two groups:drNPC group(n=4)was subjected to intraspinal transplantation of 5 million drNPCs rostral and caudal to the lesion site 2 wk post injury,and lesion control(n=3)was injected identically with the equivalent volume of vehicle.RESULTS Follow-up for 12 wk revealed that animals in the drNPC group demonstrated a significant recovery of the paralyzed hindlimb as well as recovery of somatosensory evoked potential and motor evoked potential of injured pathways.Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging data confirmed the intraspinal transplantation of drNPCs did not adversely affect the morphology of the central nervous system or cerebrospinal fluid circulation.Subsequent immunohistochemical analysis showed that drNPCs maintained SOX2 expression characteristic of multipotency in the transplanted spinal cord for at least 12 wk,migrating to areas of axon growth cones.CONCLUSION Our data demonstrated that drNPC transplantation was safe and contributed to improvement of spinal cord function after acute SCI,based on neurological status assessment and neurophysiological recovery within 12 wk after transplantation.The functional improvement described was not associated with neuronal differentiation of the allogeneic drNPCs.Instead,directed drNPCs migration to the areas of active growth cone formation may provide exosome and paracrine trophic support,thereby further supporting the regeneration processes.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China,grants No.30772304,30973166,and 81171863
文摘Previous studies have shown that proliferation of endogenous neural precursor cells cannot alone compensate for the damage to neurons and axons. From the perspective of neural plastici- ty, we observed the effects of functional electrical stimulation treatment on endogenous neural precursor cell proliferation and expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor in the rat brain on the infarct side. Functional electrical stimulation was performed in rat models of acute middle cerebral artery occlusion. Simultaneously, we set up a placebo stimulation group and a sham-operated group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that, at 7 and 14 days, compared with the placebo group, the numbers of nestin (a neural precursor cell marker)-positive cells in the subgranular zone and subventricular zone were increased in the functional electrical stimulation treatment group. Western blot assays and reverse-transcription PCR showed that total protein levels and gene expression of epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor were also upregulated on the infarct side. Prehensile traction test results showed that, at 14 days, prehension function of rats in the functional electrical stimulation group was significantly better than in the placebo group. These results suggest that functional electrical stimulation can promote endogenous neural precursor cell proliferation in the brains of acute cerebral infarction rats, enhance expression of basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor, and improve the motor function of rats.
文摘BACKGROUND: Choosing proper donor cells is one of keys in experimental and clinical studies on cell replacement therapy (CRT) for treating Parkinson disease (PD). Embryonic mesencephalic precursor cells (MPCs) can stably differentiate into dopaminergic neuron after in vitro proliferated culture. As compared with embryonic stem cell and neural stem cell strains, cell composition of embryonic MPCs after primary culture is also the most close to that of embryonic mesencephalic ventral cell suspension without proliferated culture. Successful experience accumulated in the latter suggests that primary cultured embryonic MPCs might be the most potential donor cells in clinical application with CRT for treating PD so far. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of primary cultured embryonic precursor cells cultured primarily as donor cells in CRT for treating PD in rats. DESIGN : A randomized and controlled trial taking SD rats as experimental animals.SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University.MATERIALS: This experiment was carried out at the Institute of Neuroscience, Shanghai Institute for Biological Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences from July 2003 to June 2004. Totally 26 female SD rats, with body mass of 200 to 220 g, were provided by Shanghai Experimental Animal Center of Chinese Academy of Sciences. METHODS : Stereotaxic injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into the medial forebrain bundle were perfored to develop PD model rat. Among 26 SD rats, 20 rats achieved a more than 5 turns/min in apomorphine induced rotation test, reaching the standard of PD model rats. Immunohistochemical detection was performed on 1 out of 20 model rats after execution, and the other 19 rats were randomly divided into control group (n=5), sham transplantation group (n=5)and cell grafted group (n=9). Primary cultured E12 MPC cell suspension (1.2×10^11 L^-1)were used as donor cells. 4μL primary cultured E12 MPC cell suspension prepared freshly was injected into the lesioned corpus striatum of rats in cell grafted group, and 4μL D-Hank's solution was injected in sham transplantation group in the same way. There was no injection in control group. Apomorphine-induced rotation rate of PD rats were recorded respectively in cell grafted group and sham transplantation group pre-operation (initial value) and at postoperative 2, 4, 6 and 16 weeks. Apomorphine-induced rotation rate of PD rats was recorded in control group at postoperative 2 months (initial value) and following 2,4,6 and 16 weeks. To determine TH antigen with immunohistological ABC method (DAB developing) at 6 months post-transplantation to investigate the differentiation and survival of donor cells in the host body.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Apomorphine-induced rotation behavior before and after transplantation and the survival and differentiation of implanted cells in the host body at 6 months post-transplantation. RESULTS: Among 19 model rats, one rat died after transplantation respectively in the cell grafted group and sham transplantation group; finally 17 model rats entered the stage of result analysis. Relative apomorphine-induced rotation rate was significantly decreased in the cell grafted group as compared with that before transplantation , with significant difference (P 〈 0.01 .P 〈 0.05);the mean value of relative apomorphine-induced rotation rate was significantly decreased at postoperative 16 weeks in cell grafted group as compared with that of corresponding relative rotation rate in control group , also with significant difference (P 〈 0.05).Immunohistological results showed that donor cells could differentiate into large and multi-polar dopaminergic neurons in the host body. CONCLUSION : Primary cultured embryonic MPCs can be used as the donor cells in CRT for treating PD.
文摘BACKGROUND: Cerebral injury in adult mammals can induce neural precursor cells (NPCs) to proliferate and migrate towards the focal zone, but it is unclear whether endogenous NPCs can migrate towards regions distal to the hemorrhagic focus or whether NPCs differentiate in the peripheral hemorrhagic region. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of endogenous NPCs in different brain regions of rats with experimental cerebral hemorrhage, as well as NPC proliferation and differentiation with time. DESIGN, TIME AND SE'B'ING: A randomized, controlled animal experiment was performed at the Department of Neurobiology, Luzhou Medical College, between January 2007 and October 2008. MATERIALS: Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was purchased from Roche, Germany. Mouse anti-rat BrdU monoclonal antibody, rabbit anti-nestin polyclonal antibody, rabbit anti-neuron specific enolase (NSE) polyclonal antibody were purchased from Wuhan Boster, China. Rabbit anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) polyclonal antibody was purchased from Sigma, USA. METHODS: Thirty-five adult Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: (1) cerebral hemorrhage group (n = 25), rats were stereotaxically administered 50 p L autologous arterial blood via the dorsal caudate putamen to induce cerebral hemorrhage; (2) sham-surgery group (n = 5), rats underwent surgery but did not receive blood injection; (3) blank control group (n = 5), rats received no surgery and blood administration. At 2 hours after surgery, all rats were intraperitoneally administered BrdU. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Distribution and proliferation of BrdU-positive cells were observed by immunohistochemical staining. BrdU-positive cell differentiation into neurons and glial cells in the peripheral hemorrhagic region was detected by double-label immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry results revealed that BrdU-positive cells existed not only in the peripheral hemorrhagic region, such as the subependymal layer and hippocampal dentate gyrus, but also in the lateral septal nucleus, diagonal band, habenular nucleus, and cerebral cortex. Following cerebral hemorrhage, BrdU-positive cells in the peripheral hemorrhagic region gradually increased (P 〈 0.05), and peaked at 7 14 days. Double-label immunofluorescence showed that with time after cerebral hemorrhage, BrdU/nestin-positive cells decreased, but BrdU/GFAP- and BrdU/NSE-positive cells increased in the peripheral cerebral hemorrhagic region (P 〈 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cerebral hemorrhage can induce the proliferation of endogenous NPCs, which peaks at 1-2 weeks after hemorrhage. NPCs can also migrate towards the regions distal to the hemorrhagic focus, such as a diagonal band or lateral septal nucleus. NPCs can gradually differentiate with increasing time after hemorrhage.
文摘Objective To investigate whether buffalo rat liver cell conditioned medium (BRL CM) can be used as the culture medium of embryonic stem (ES) cells, and to get relatively pure neural precursor cells (NPCs) for treatment aim. Methods Mouse ES cells were cultured in BRL CM and medium contain leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), respectively. NPCs were selectively cultured in serum free medium. Alkaline phosphatase activity was visualized with NBT/BCIP and nestin antigen was detected with immunocytochemical methods. Results BRL CM could be used as an efficiency culture condition instead of LIF in ES cells culture. About 86% of cells derived from ES cells in the serum free culture were NPCs. Conclusion BRL CM can replace LIF to use in ES cell culture. High purity of NPC can be induced from ES cells with serum free culture method.
基金supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government,No.NRF-013-2011-1-E00045
文摘Endogenous neural stem cells become "activated" after neuronal injury, but the activation sequence and fate of endogenous neural stem cells in focal cerebral ischemia model are little known. We evaluated the relationships between neural stem cells and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in a photothromobotic rat stroke model using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. We also evaluated the chronological changes of neural stem cells by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine(BrdU) incorporation. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α expression was initially increased from 1 hour after ischemic injury, followed by vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α immunoreactivity was detected in the ipsilateral cortical neurons of the infarct core and peri-infarct area. Vascular endothelial growth factor immunoreactivity was detected in bilateral cortex, but ipsilateral cortex staining intensity and numbers were greater than the contralateral cortex. Vascular endothelial growth factor immunoreactive cells were easily found along the peri-infarct area 12 hours after focal cerebral ischemia. The expression of nestin increased throughout the microvasculature in the ischemic core and the peri-infarct area in all experimental rats after 24 hours of ischemic injury. Nestin immunoreactivity increased in the subventricular zone during 12 hours to 3 days, and prominently increased in the ipsilateral cortex between 3–7 days. Nestin-labeled cells showed dual differentiation with microvessels near the infarct core and reactive astrocytes in the peri-infarct area. BrdU-labeled cells were increased gradually from day 1 in the ipsilateral subventricular zone and cortex, and numerous BrdU-labeled cells were observed in the peri-infarct area and non-lesioned cortex at 3 days. BrdU-labeled cells rather than neurons, were mainly co-labeled with nestin and GFAP. Early expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor after ischemia made up the microenvironment to increase the neuronal plasticity of activated endogenous neural stem cells. Moreover, neural precursor cells after large-scale cortical injury could be recruited from the cortex nearby infarct core and subventricular zone.
基金Dr.Hui Fu was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81371338by Open Research Fund Program of Hubei-MOST KLOS & KLOBMEDr.Zu-neng Lu was supported by grants from Health and Family Planning Commission of Hubei Province scientific research project,No.WJ2015MA007
文摘There are few studies on the membrane protein Ankfyl. We have found Ankfyl is specifically expressed in neural stem/precursor cells during early development in mice (murine). To further explore Ankfyl function in neural development, we developed a gene knockout mouse with a mixed Balb/C and C57/BL6 genetic background. Using immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization, neural defects were absent in mixed genetic Ankfyl null mice during development and in adults up to 2 months old. However, Ankfyl gene knockout mice with a pure genetic background were found to be lethal in the C57/BL6 inbred mice embryos, even after seven generations of backcrossing. Polymerase chain reaction confirmed homozygotes were unattainable as early as embryonic day 11.5. We conclude that Ankfyl protein is dispensable in neural stem/precursor ceils, but could be critical for early embryonic murine development, depending on the genetic background.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81501610,81350030the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutes of China
文摘The best tissue-engineered spinal cord grafts not only match the structural characteristics of the spinal cord but also allow the seed cells to grow and function in situ.Platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) has been shown to promote the migration of bone marrow stromal cells;however,cytokines need to be released at a steady rate to maintain a stable concentration in vivo.Therefore,new methods are needed to maintain an optimal concentration of cytokines over an extended period of time to effectively promote seed cell localization,proliferation and differentiation.In the present study,a partition-type tubular scaffold matching the anatomical features of the thoracic 8–10 spinal cord of the rat was fabricated using chitosan and then subsequently loaded with chitosan-encapsulated PDGF-BB microspheres(PDGF-MSs).The PDGF-MS-containing scaffold was then examined in vitro for sustained-release capacity,biocompatibility,and its effect on neural progenitor cells differentiated in vitro from multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring cells(MUSE-NPCs).We found that pre-freezing for 2 hours at-20°C significantly increased the yield of partition-type tubular scaffolds,and 30 μL of 25% glutaraldehyde ensured optimal crosslinking of PDGF-MSs.The resulting PDGF-MSs cumulatively released 52% of the PDGF-BB at 4 weeks in vitro without burst release.The PDGF-MS-containing tubular scaffold showed suitable biocompatibility towards MUSE-NPCs and could promote the directional migration and growth of these cells.These findings indicate that the combination of a partition-type tubular scaffold,PDGF-MSs and MUSENPCs may be a promising model for the fabrication of tissue-engineered spinal cord grafts.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.81602599,31400752,81771781,and U1804281)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2016YFC1303501)。
文摘Objective:Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)has high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide.Cancer stem cells(CSCs)may cause tumor initiation,metastasis,and recurrence and are also responsible for chemotherapy and radiotherapy failures.Myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs),in contrast,are known to be involved in mediating immunosuppression.Here,we aimed to investigate the mechanisms of interaction of CSCs and MDSCs in the tumor microenvironment.Methods:ESCC tissues and cell lines were evaluated.Neural precursor cell expressed,developmentally downregulated 9(NEDD9)was knocked down and overexpressed by lentiviral transfection.Quantitative PCR,Western blot,immunohistochemistry,cell invasion,flow cytometry,cell sorting,multiplex chemokine profiling,and tumor growth analyses were performed.Results:Microarray analysis revealed 10 upregulated genes in esophageal CSCs.Only NEDD9 was upregulated in CSCs using the sphere-forming method.NEDD9 expression was correlated with tumor invasion(P=0.0218),differentiation(P=0.0153),and poor prognosis(P=0.0373).Additionally,NEDD9 was required to maintain the stem-like phenotype.Screening of chemokine expression in ESCC cells with NEDD9 overexpression and knockdown showed that NEDD9 regulated C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8(CXCL8)expression via the ERK pathway.CXCL8 mediated the recruitment of MDSCs induced by NEDD9 in vitro and in vivo.MDSCs promoted the stemness of ESCC cells through NEDD9 via the Notch pathway.Conclusions:As a marker of ESCC,NEDD9 maintained the stemness of ESCC cells and regulated CXCL8 through the ERK pathway to recruit MDSCs into the tumor,suggesting NEDD9 as a therapeutic target and novel prognostic marker for ESCC.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of China (81961128021, 81870682)National Key R&D Program of China (2022YEF0203200)+1 种基金Guangdong Provincial Key R&D Programs (2018B030335001)Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou (202007030011, 202007030010,202007030001)。
文摘Adult hippocampal neurogenesis(AHN) is crucial for learning,memory,and emotion.Deficits of AHN may lead to reduced cognitive abilities and neurodegenerative disorders,such as Alzheimer’s disease.Extensive studies on rodent AHN have clarified the developmental and maturation processes of adult neural stem/progenitor cells.However,to what extent these findings apply to primates remains controversial.Recent advances in next-generation sequencing technologies have enabled in-depth investigation of the transcriptome of AHN-related populations at single-cell resolution.Here,we summarize studies of AHN in primates.Results suggest that neurogenesis is largely shared across species,but substantial differences also exist.Marker gene expression patterns in primates differ from those of rodents.Compared with rodents,the primate hippocampus has a higher proportion of immature dentate granule cells and a longer maturation period of newly generated granule cells.Future research on species divergence may deepen our understanding of the mechanisms underlying adult neurogenesis in primates.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81271248 and 81400933)
文摘Recent research has shown that defined sets of exogenous factors are sufficient to convert rodent and human somatic cells directly into induced neural stem cells or neural precursor cells(iNSCs/iNPCs).The process of transdifferentiation bypasses the step of a pluripotent state and reduces the risk of tumorigenesis and genetic instability while retaining the self-renewing capacity.This iNSC/iNPC technology has fueled much excitement in regenerative medicine,as these cells can be differentiated into target cells for replacement therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.Patients' somatic cell-derived iNSCs/iNPCs have also been proposed to serve as disease models with potential value in both fundamental studies and clinical applications.This review focuses on the mechanisms,techniques,and applications of iNSCs/iNPCs from a series of related studies,as well as further efforts in designing novel strategies using iNSC/iNPC technology and its potential applications in neurodegenerative diseases.
基金supported by a grant from Johannes Gutenberg-University
文摘Endogenous neurogenesis can arise from a variety of physiological stimuli including exercise, learning, or "enriched environment" as well as pathological conditions such as ischemia, epilepsy or cortical spreading depression. Whether all these conditions use a common trigger to set off endogenous neurogenesis is yet unclear. We hypothesized that cortical spreading depression(CSD) induces neurogenesis in the cerebral cortex and dentate gyrus after cerebral venous ischemia. Forty-two Wistar rats alternatively underwent sham operation(Sham), induction of ten CSDs or venous ischemia provoked via occlusion of two adjacent superficial cortical vein followed by ten induced CSDs(CSD + 2-VO). As an additional control, 15 na?ve rats received no intervention except 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine(Brd U) treatment for 7 days. Sagittal brain slices(40 μm thick) were co-stained for Brd U and doublecortin(DCX; new immature neuronal cells) on day 9 or Neu N(new mature neuronal cells) on day 28. On day 9 after sham operation, cell proliferation and neurogenesis occurred in the cortex in rats. The sole induction of CSD had no effect. But on days 9 and 28, more proliferating cells and newly formed neurons in the ipsilateral cortex were observed in rats subjected to CSD + 2VO than in rats subjected to sham operation. On days 9 and 28, cell proliferation and neurogenesis in the ipsilateral dentate gyrus was increased in sham-operated rats than in na?ve rats. Our data supports the hypothesis that induced cortical neurogenesis after CSD + 2-VO is a direct effect of ischemia, rather than of CSD alone.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China,No. 2017YFA0104304 (to BW),2017YFA0205400 (to PPS),and 2017YFA0506000 (to PPS)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No. 81571213 (to BW)+2 种基金the Nanjing Medical Science and Technique Development Foundation of China,No. QRX17006 (to BW)the Nanjing Medical Science and Innovation Platform,No. ZDX16005 (to BW)the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Plan of Jiangsu Province (2019)(to BW)。
文摘Spinal cord injury has long been a prominent challenge in the trauma repair process. Spinal cord injury is a research hotspot by virtue of its difficulty to treat and its escalating morbidity. Furthermore, spinal cord injury has a long period of disease progression and leads to complications that exert a lot of mental and economic pressure on patients. There are currently a large number of therapeutic strategies for treating spinal cord injury, which range from pharmacological and surgical methods to cell therapy and rehabilitation training. All of these strategies have positive effects in the course of spinal cord injury treatment. This review mainly discusses the problems regarding stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury, including the characteristics and action modes of all relevant cell types. Induced pluripotent stem cells, which represent a special kind of stem cell population, have gained impetus in cell therapy development because of a range of advantages. Induced pluripotent stem cells can be developed into the precursor cells of each neural cell type at the site of spinal cord injury, and have great potential for application in spinal cord injury therapy.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaNo.81130080
文摘Angiogenesis is a key process in regenerative medicine generally, as well as in the specific field of nerve regeneration. However, no convenient and objective method for evaluating the angiogenesis of tissue-engineered nerves has been reported. In this study, tissue-engineered nerves were constructed in vitro using Schwann cells differentiated from rat skin-derived precursors as supporting cells and chitosan nerve conduits combined with silk fibroin fibers as scaffolds to bridge 10-mm sciatic nerve defects in rats. Four weeks after surgery, three-dimensional blood vessel reconstructions were made through MICROFIL perfusion and micro-CT scanning, and parameter analysis of the tissue-engineered nerves was performed. New blood vessels grew into the tissue-engineered nerves from three main directions: the proximal end, the distal end, and the middle. The parameter analysis of the three-dimensional blood vessel images yielded several parameters, including the number, diameter, connection, and spatial distribution of blood vessels. The new blood vessels were mainly capillaries and microvessels, with diameters ranging from 9 to 301 μm. The blood vessels with diameters from 27 to 155 μm accounted for 82.84% of the new vessels. The microvessels in the tissue-engineered nerves implanted in vivo were relatively well-identified using the MICROFIL perfusion and micro-CT scanning method, which allows the evaluation and comparison of differences and changes of angiogenesis in tissue-engineered nerves implanted in vivo.
基金supported by the National Institutes of Health,Nos.AA025919,AA025919-03S1,and AA025919-05S1(all to RAF).
文摘Hippocampal neuronal loss causes cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis is reduced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.Exercise stimulates adult hippocampal neurogenesis in rodents and improves memory and slows cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.However,the molecular pathways for exercise-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and improved cognition in Alzheimer’s disease are poorly understood.Recently,regulator of G protein signaling 6(RGS6)was identified as the mediator of voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis in mice.Here,we generated novel RGS6fl/fl;APP_(SWE) mice and used retroviral approaches to examine the impact of RGS6 deletion from dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells on voluntary running-induced adult hippocampal neurogenesis and cognition in an amyloid-based Alzheimer’s disease mouse model.We found that voluntary running in APP_(SWE) mice restored their hippocampal cognitive impairments to that of control mice.This cognitive rescue was abolished by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neuronal progenitor cells,which also abolished running-mediated increases in adult hippocampal neurogenesis.Adult hippocampal neurogenesis was reduced in sedentary APP_(SWE) mice versus control mice,with basal adult hippocampal neurogenesis reduced by RGS6 deletion in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells.RGS6 was expressed in neurons within the dentate gyrus of patients with Alzheimer’s disease with significant loss of these RGS6-expressing neurons.Thus,RGS6 mediated voluntary running-induced rescue of impaired cognition and adult hippocampal neurogenesis in APP_(SWE) mice,identifying RGS6 in dentate gyrus neural precursor cells as a possible therapeutic target in Alzheimer’s disease.
基金We express heartfelt thanks to Liwei Zhang(Science China Press)for her kind help and constructive comments.This work was supported by the State Key Program of National Natural Science Foundation of China(grants 31130022,31320103903,31271037)the National Science and Technology Pillar Program of China(grant 2012BAI17B04)+4 种基金the International Cooperation in Science and Technology Projects of the Ministry of Science Technology of China(grant 2014DFA30640)the National 863 Project(grant 2012AA020506)the National Ministry of Education Special Fund for Excellent Doctoral Dissertation(grant 201356)the Special Funds for Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of Beijing,China(grant 20111000601)the Key Project of the Department of Science and Technology of Beijing(grant D090800046609004).
文摘The central nervous system(CNS)has very restricted intrinsic regeneration ability under the injury or disease condition.Innovative repair strategies,therefore,are urgently needed to facilitate tissue regeneration and functional recovery.The published tissue repair/regeneration strategies,such as cell and/or drug delivery,has been demonstrated to have some therapeutic effects on experimental animal models,but can hardly find clinical applications due to such methods as the extremely low survival rate of transplanted cells,difficulty in integrating with the host or restriction of blood-brain barriers to administration patterns.Using biomaterials can not only increase the survival rate of grafts and their integration with the host in the injured CNS area,but also sustainably deliver bioproducts to the local injured area,thus improving the microenvironment in that area.This review mainly introduces the advances of various strategies concerning facilitating CNS regeneration.