Local origin and activity-dependent generation of nestin-expressing protoplasmic astrocytes in CA1

Brain Struct Funct. 2007 Jul;212(1):19-35. doi: 10.1007/s00429-007-0141-5. Epub 2007 May 22.

Abstract

Since reports that precursor cells in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) contribute to regenerative neuro- and gliogenesis in CA1, we wondered whether a similar route of migration might also exist under physiological conditions. Permanent labeling of SVZ precursor cells with a lentiviral vector for green fluorescent protein did not reveal any migration from the SVZ into CA1 in the intact murine brain. However, in a nestin-GFP reporter mouse we found proliferating cells within the corpus callosum/alveus region expressing nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein similar to precursor cells in the neighboring neurogenic region of the adult dentate gyrus. Within 3 weeks of BrdU administration, BrdU-positive nestin-GFP-expressing protoplasmic astrocytes emerged in CA1. Similar to precursor cells isolated from the dentate gyrus and the SVZ, nestin-GFP-expressing cells from corpus callosum/alveus were self-renewing and multipotent in vitro, whereas cells isolated from CA1 were not. Nestin-GFP-expressing cells in CA1 differentiated into postmitotic astrocytes characterized by S100beta expression. No new neurons were found in CA1. The number of nestin-GFP-expressing astrocytes in CA1 was increased by environmental enrichment. We conclude that astrogenesis in CA1 is influenced by environmental conditions. However, SVZ precursor cells do not contribute to physiological cellular plasticity in CA1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Astrocytes / cytology
  • Astrocytes / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bromodeoxyuridine
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology*
  • Cell Movement / physiology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Environment, Controlled
  • Genes, Reporter / physiology
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / metabolism
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / genetics
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nestin
  • Organ Culture Techniques
  • Physical Stimulation
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit
  • S100 Proteins / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein
  • Intermediate Filament Proteins
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nes protein, mouse
  • Nestin
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit
  • S100 Proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Bromodeoxyuridine