Organized Neurogenic-Niche-Like Pinwheel Structures Discovered in Spinal Cord Tissue-Derived Neurospheres

Front. Cell Dev. Biol., 2019 · DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2019.00334 · Published: December 20, 2019

Regenerative Medicine Neurology Genetics

Simple Explanation

The study found pinwheel structures, similar to those in the brain's neurogenic niche, in spinal cord-derived neurospheres grown in vitro. These pinwheels consist of ciliated astrocytes surrounded by ciliated ependymal cells. The researchers manipulated the cell arrangements within the neurospheres using chemical treatments. They found that the ratio of ciliated astrocytes to ependymal cells is crucial for the formation of these pinwheel structures. The study suggests that spinal cord cells, when cultured in vitro, can self-organize into structures resembling the brain's neurogenic niche. This could be valuable for studying neurogenesis and testing drugs.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

GFAP-TK transgenic mice and wild type (WT) mice

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Spinal cord and SVZ tissue-derived neurospheres cultured in vitro form pinwheel structures reminiscent of those present in the SVZ in vivo.
2
Methylation of a CpG island located at −104 to +123 relative to the transcription start site of FoxJ1 silences the FoxJ1 gene.
3
Modifying the distribution of ciliated astrocytes and ependymal cells significantly influences pinwheel arrangement and neurosphere formation in vitro.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates the formation of pinwheel structures in spinal cord and SVZ tissue-derived neurospheres cultured in vitro, similar to those found in the neurogenic niche of the adult brain. The study reveals that the ratio of ciliated astrocytes to ependymal cells plays a critical role in the correct formation of these pinwheel structures in vitro. The findings suggest that cells of neuronal lineage possess an intrinsic capability to self-organize, behaving like an organotypic-like culture, which can be valuable for high-throughput genomic and proteomic approaches.

Practical Implications

Drug Screening

The in vitro culture of these cells will be of significant use to drug evaluation screens to study neurogenic tissue formation.

Understanding Neurogenesis

This organotypic-like culture resembles the organization of the neurogenic niche of the SVZ in the adult brain and may offer an opportunity to study mechanisms of neurogenesis under normal or pathological conditions.

Regenerative Medicine

The described in vitro organized microenvironmental niche could influence cell behavior mimicking SVZ development, thereby presenting obvious interest to the regenerative medicine field.

Study Limitations

1
Additional studies are needed to determine the apical surface position of γ-tubulin.
2
Further research is required to assess cell polarity.
3
Further research is required to assess the orientation of cells in the neurosphere to assess whether these structures faithfully mimic the in vivo cellular distribution and tissue structures of SVZ pinwheels.

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