Creating a neurogenic environment: the role of BDNF and FGF2.
Regional environmental cues present in the adult brain determine the fate of adult neural progenitor cells. To determine whether the growth factors BDNF or FGF2 can create a neurogenic environment outside the SVZ, we used AAV(1/2)-mediated gene transfer to produce ectopic BDNF or FGF2 expression in the normal adult rat striatum and transplanted SVZ-derived progenitor cells into this region. We observed that ectopic expression of BDNF in the striatum promoted neuronal differentiation of transplanted adult neural progenitor cells, while FGF2 expression supported the survival and proliferation of transplanted progenitor cells in the adult striatum. However, region-specific neuronal differentiation of transplanted progenitor cells was not observed in the adult striatum, suggesting ectopic BDNF or FGF2 expression was insufficient for the generation of mature neuronal phenotypes. This study provides direct in vivo evidence that ectopic striatal expression of either BDNF or FGF2 can induce neurogenesis in non-neurogenic regions of the adult brain.
Chen
Kevin
K
Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
Henry
Rebecca A
RA
Hughes
Stephanie M
SM
Connor
Bronwen
B
D053687:Adult Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine / Q000378:metabolism; D002452:Cell Count; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003342:Corpus Striatum / Q000601:surgery; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D014161:Transduction, Genetic / Q000379:methods
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D001973:Bromodeoxyuridine