Neural Stem Cell Differentiation 2023

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Cell Biology and Tissue Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 4470

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Division of Oral Physiology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
Interests: physical stimulations inducing cell differentiation; cell signaling; neural regeneration; bone remodeling; taste sensitivity and preference

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Since the production of new neuronal cells is inhibited after childbirth, preparing and stimulating neural stem cells to generate new neuronal cells on purpose may enhance brain function or relieve the exacerbation of diseases in the brain. Moreover, future neuronal replacement therapies may need to rely on in vitro or in vitro differentiation of specific cell types from embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells, or multi-lineage differentiating stress-enduring cells. Thus, manipulating neurogenesis for long-term benefit requires a better understanding of how such stem cells respond to stimuli and regulate cellular functions, which is biologically and clinically crucial.

This Special Issue, “Neural Stem Cell Differentiation”, welcomes contributions in all fields of in vivo and in vitro research revealing novel phenomena and molecular mechanisms of the development, lifecycle, and neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells, as described above.

Dr. Tada-aki Kudo
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • development and characterization of neuronal stem cells
  • signaling in neuronal stem cells and neuronal precursor cells
  • induced neural differentiation of pluripotent stem cells
  • molecular mechanisms of neuritogenesis and network formation
  • neurodegenerative disorders and stem cells
  • central nervous system regeneration medicine
  • imaging and safety of stem-cell therapy in vivo
  • neuronal stem cells and drug interactions
  • in vitro differentiation models for induced neural regeneration

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 5586 KiB  
Article
mRNA Abundance of Neurogenic Factors Correlates with Hearing Capacity in Auditory Brainstem Nuclei of the Rat
by Jonas Engert, Julia Doll, Barbara Vona, Totta Ehret Kasemo, Bjoern Spahn, Rudolf Hagen, Kristen Rak and Johannes Voelker
Life 2023, 13(9), 1858; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13091858 - 2 Sep 2023
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Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) have previously been described up to the adult stage in the rat cochlear nucleus (CN). A decreasing neurogenic potential was observed with critical changes around hearing onset. A better understanding of molecular factors affecting NSCs and neurogenesis is of [...] Read more.
Neural stem cells (NSCs) have previously been described up to the adult stage in the rat cochlear nucleus (CN). A decreasing neurogenic potential was observed with critical changes around hearing onset. A better understanding of molecular factors affecting NSCs and neurogenesis is of interest as they represent potential targets to treat the cause of neurologically based hearing disorders. The role of genes affecting NSC development and neurogenesis in CN over time on hearing capacity has remained unclear. This study investigated the mRNA abundance of genes influencing NSCs and neurogenesis in rats’ CN over time. The CN of rats on postnatal days 6, 12, and 24 were examined. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction arrays were used to compare mRNA levels of 84 genes relevant to NSCs and neurogenesis. Age- and hearing-specific patterns of changes in mRNA abundance of neurogenically relevant genes were detected in the rat CN. Additionally, crucial neurogenic factors with significant and relevant influence on neurogenesis were identified. The results of this work should contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the neurogenesis of the auditory pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Stem Cell Differentiation 2023)
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17 pages, 7853 KiB  
Article
Neurogenic Stem Cell Niche in the Auditory Thalamus: In Vitro Evidence of Neural Stem Cells in the Rat Medial Geniculate Body
by Jonas Engert, Bjoern Spahn, Linda Bieniussa, Rudolf Hagen, Kristen Rak and Johannes Voelker
Life 2023, 13(5), 1188; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13051188 - 15 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1317
Abstract
The medial geniculate body (MGB) is a nucleus of the diencephalon representing a relevant segment of the auditory pathway and is part of the metathalamus. It receives afferent information via the inferior brachium of the inferior colliculus and transmits efferent fibers via acoustic [...] Read more.
The medial geniculate body (MGB) is a nucleus of the diencephalon representing a relevant segment of the auditory pathway and is part of the metathalamus. It receives afferent information via the inferior brachium of the inferior colliculus and transmits efferent fibers via acoustic radiations to the auditory cortex. Neural stem cells (NSCs) have been detected in certain areas along the auditory pathway. They are of great importance as the induction of an adult stem cell niche might open a regenerative approach to a causal treatment of hearing disorders. Up to now, the existence of NSCs in the MGB has not been determined. Therefore, this study investigated whether the MGB has a neural stem cell potential. For this purpose, cells were extracted from the MGB of PND 8 Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured in a free-floating cell culture assay, which showed mitotic activity and positive staining for stem cell and progenitor markers. In differentiation assays, the markers β-III-tubulin, GFAP, and MBP demonstrated the capacity of single cells to differentiate into neuronal and glial cells. In conclusion, cells from the MGB exhibited the cardinal features of NSCs: self-renewal, the formation of progenitor cells, and differentiation into all neuronal lineage cells. These findings may contribute to a better understanding of the development of the auditory pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Stem Cell Differentiation 2023)
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Review

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14 pages, 2364 KiB  
Review
Retinoids: Mechanisms of Action in Neuronal Cell Fate Acquisition
by Aysis Maria Koshy and Marco Antonio Mendoza-Parra
Life 2023, 13(12), 2279; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13122279 - 29 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1484
Abstract
Neuronal differentiation has been shown to be directed by retinoid action during embryo development and has been exploited in various in vitro cell differentiation systems. In this review, we summarize the role of retinoids through the activation of their specific retinoic acid nuclear [...] Read more.
Neuronal differentiation has been shown to be directed by retinoid action during embryo development and has been exploited in various in vitro cell differentiation systems. In this review, we summarize the role of retinoids through the activation of their specific retinoic acid nuclear receptors during embryo development and also in a variety of in vitro strategies for neuronal differentiation, including recent efforts in driving cell specialization towards a range of neuronal subtypes and glial cells. Finally, we highlight the role of retinoic acid in recent protocols recapitulating nervous tissue complexity (cerebral organoids). Overall, we expect that this effort might pave the way for exploring the usage of specific synthetic retinoids for directing complex nervous tissue differentiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neural Stem Cell Differentiation 2023)
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