EGF-responsive neural stem cells are a transient population in the developing mouse spinal cord

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Biology
• Stem Cell Research

Background:

• Adult mouse forebrain has EGF-responsive neural stem cells, unlike the adult spinal cord.
• Spinal cord development involves distinct periods of cell histogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and characteristics of EGF-responsive neural stem cells in the developing spinal cord.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of neural stem cell responses to EGF and FGF during mouse embryonic development (E11-E14) and in adults.
• In vitro lineage analysis to determine stem cell relationships.

Main Results:

• At E11, only FGF-responsive stem cells are present in the spinal cord.
• Between E12-E14 (peak neurogenesis/gliogenesis), EGF receptors and EGF-responsive stem cells emerge.
• Adult spinal cords lack EGF receptors and EGF-responsive stem cells, but retain FGF-responsive stem cells.
• FGF-responsive stem cells appear to precede and generate EGF-responsive stem cells.

Conclusions:

• EGF-responsive neural stem cells are transiently present in the spinal cord during its peak developmental period.
• These cells are absent in the adult spinal cord, which maintains FGF-responsive stem cells.
• Stem cell populations in the spinal cord change dynamically during development.