White matter tracts for the trafficking of neural progenitor cells characterized by cellular MRI and immunohistology: the role of CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling.
White matter tracts are important for the trafficking of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in both normal and pathological conditions, but the underlying mechanism is not clear. The directionality of white matter is advantageous for molecules or cells to distribute over a long distance, but this feature is unlikely solely responsible for efficient migration. The present study hypothesizes that the efficient migration of NPCs into white matter is under the influences of neurochemical attraction—CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling, a major mechanism underlying the targeted migration of NPCs. To test this view, the present study investigated the effects of CXCL12 administration into the corpus callosum (CC) on the migratory behavior of transplanted NPCs. A living animal tracking platform based on MRI and a magnetic cell labeling technique was employed. The NPCs were magnetically labeled and then transplanted at the right end of the CC. CXCL12 was infused continuously at the left end. Migration of NPCs was monitored repeatedly over a 7-day course using 3D gradient echo T2*-weighted imaging. It was found that, CXCL12 induced NPCs to migrate up to 1,881 μm from the graft whereas the spontaneous migration was mere 200 μm. CXCL12 induced migration that was nine times as efficient in the speed. The results indicate that the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling may be a mechanism via which NPCs efficiently migrate along the white matter tracts. The study also presents a potential strategy for facilitating the targeted migration in NPC therapy for brain disorders.
N123, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, 128, Section 2, Academia Road, Nankang, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
Chiao-Chi V
CC
Chen
Yi-Hua
YH
Hsu
D M
DM
Jayaseema
Jeou-Yuan Joanne
JY
Chen
Dueng-Yuan
DY
Hueng
Chen
C
Chang
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D051863:Host Cell Factor C1 / Q000187:drug effects; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D066127:White Matter / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*
D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D051863:Host Cell Factor C1; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4