Human ESC-derived neural rosettes and neural stem cell progression.
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are defined by their ability to self-renew while retaining differentiation potential toward the three main central nervous system (CNS) lineages: neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. A less appreciated fact about isolated NSCs is their narrow repertoire for generating specific neuron types, which are generally limited to a few region-specific subtypes such as GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons. Recent studies in human embryonic stem cells have identified a novel neural stem cell stage at which cells exhibit plasticity toward generating a broad range of neuron types in response to appropriate developmental signals. Such rosette-stage NSCs (R-NSCs) are also distinct from other NSC populations by their specific cytoarchitecture, gene expression, and extrinsic growth requirements. Here, we discuss the properties of R-NSCs within the context of NSC biology and define some of the key questions for future investigation. R-NSCs may represent the first example of a NSC population capable of recreating the full cellular diversity of the developing CNS, with implications for both basic stem cell biology and translational applications in regenerative medicine and drug discovery.
Elkabetz
Y
Y
Developmental Biology Program, Division of Neurosurgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA.
Studer
L
L
D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D002449:Cell Aggregation; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053595:Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006801:Humans; D008959:Models, Neurological; D055495:Neurogenesis; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
D000954:Antigens, Surface; C092260:antigen FORSE-1