[Effects of endothelial cells on renewal and differentiation of neural stem cells].
It is well established that neural stem cells (NSCs) are not randomly distributed throughout the brain, but rather are concentrated around blood vessels. Although NSCs lie in a vascular niche, there is no direct evidence for a functional relationship between the NSCs and blood vessel component cells. It is reported that endothelial cells release soluble factors that stimulate the self-renewal of NSCs, inhibit their differentiation, and enhance their neuron production. Endothelial coculture can activate Notch to promote self-renewal. Furthermore, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a significant role in neural cells; it stimulates the growth and differentiation of astrocytes in the central nervous system (CNS). Therefore, beyond their traditional role as structural components of blood vessels, endothelial cells are not only critical component of the neural stem cell niche, but they also are able to enhance neurogenesis, possibly through the secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor.
Dong
Zhiwu
Z
Institute of Developmental Biology, School of Life Science, Shandong Univ., Ji'nan 250100, China.
Su
Le
L
Mino
Junying
J
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000502:physiology
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A