Endogenous neurogenesis in the human brain following cerebral infarction.
Increased endogenous neurogenesis has a significant regenerative role in many experimental models of cerebrovascular diseases, but there have been very few studies in humans. We therefore examined whether there was evidence of altered endogenous neurogenesis in an 84-year-old patient who suffered a cerebrovascular accident 1 week prior to death. Using antibodies that specifically label neural stem/neural progenitor cells, we examined the presence of immunopositive cells around and distant from the infarcted area, and compared this with a control, age-matched individual. Interestingly, a large number of neural stem cells, vascular endothelial growth factor-immunopositive cells and new blood vessels were observed only around the region of infarction, and none in the corresponding brain areas of the healthy control. In addition, an increased number of neural stem cells was observed in the neurogenic region of the lateral ventricle wall. Our results suggest increased endogenous neurogenesis associated with neovascularization and migration of newly-formed cells towards a region of cerebrovascular damage in the adult human brain and highlight possible mechanisms underlying this process.
Minger
Stephen L
SL
Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, London, UK. stephen.minger@kcl.ac.uk
Ekonomou
Antigoni
A
Carta
Eloisa M
EM
Chinoy
Amish
A
Perry
Robert H
RH
Ballard
Clive G
CG
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002544:Cerebral Infarction / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020547:Lateral Ventricles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A