Persistent production of neurons from adult brain stem cells during recovery after stroke

Stem Cells. 2006 Mar;24(3):739-47. doi: 10.1634/stemcells.2005-0281. Epub 2005 Oct 6.

Abstract

Neural stem cells in the subventricular zone of adult rodents produce new striatal neurons that may replace those that have died after stroke; however, the neurogenic response has been considered acute and transient, yielding only small numbers of neurons. In contrast, we show herein that striatal neuroblasts are generated without decline at least for 4 months after stroke in adult rats. Neuroblasts formed early or late after stroke either differentiate into mature neurons, which survive for several months, or die through caspase-mediated apoptosis. The directed migration of the new neurons toward the ischemic damage is regulated by stromal cell-derived factor-1alpha and its receptor CXCR4. These results show that endogenous neural stem cells continuously supply the injured adult brain with new neurons, which suggests novel self-repair strategies to improve recovery after stroke.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chemokines, CXC / metabolism
  • Corpus Striatum / metabolism*
  • Corpus Striatum / pathology
  • Male
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, CXCR4 / metabolism
  • Recovery of Function*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Stem Cells / pathology
  • Stroke / metabolism*
  • Stroke / pathology

Substances

  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Chemokines, CXC
  • Cxcr4 protein, rat
  • Receptors, CXCR4
  • Caspases