Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 4, 2026
10:48
Differentiation of a Human Neural Stem Cell Line on Three Dimensional Cultures, Analysis of MicroRNA and Putative Target Genes
Published on: April 12, 2015
SOX2 functions in adult neural stem cells
1MRC, Clinical Sciences Centre, Imperial College Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK. vasso.episkopou@csc.mrc.ac.uk
Trends in Neurosciences
|May 4, 2005
Summary
Sox2 plays a crucial role in the adult brain, maintaining neurons and supporting neural stem cell activity and neurogenesis. This research validates Sox2
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Sox2 is highly expressed in the developing central nervous system (CNS) neuroepithelium.
- Sox2 functions in neural stem cells, but its role in the adult CNS is unvalidated due to early lethality in Sox2-null mice.
- Previous studies highlight Sox2's importance in early development, necessitating research into its adult functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Sox2 in the adult brain using a new genetic model.
- To provide evidence for Sox2's involvement in neuronal maintenance, neural stem cell proliferation/maintenance, and neurogenesis in the adult CNS.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel genetic model to study Sox2 function in adult mice.
- Analysis of Sox2's impact on specific brain regions, neural stem cell populations, and neurogenesis.
Main Results:
- Sox2 is essential for the maintenance of neurons in specific adult brain regions.
- Sox2 plays a significant role in the proliferation and/or maintenance of adult neural stem cells.
- Evidence suggests Sox2 is involved in adult neurogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Sox2 is critical for maintaining neuronal populations in the adult brain.
- Sox2 supports the stem cell pool and neurogenic processes in the adult CNS.
- This study validates the importance of Sox2 in adult brain function and homeostasis.
Related Concept Videos
01:33Adult Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce more stem cells or progenitor cells that differentiate into mature, specialized cell types. All the cells in the body are generated from stem cells in the early embryo, but small populations of stem cells are also present in many adult tissues including the bone marrow, brain, skin, and gut. These adult stem cells typically produce the various cell types found in that tissue—to replace cells that are damaged or to continuously renew...
00:58Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells are undifferentiated pluripotent cells, meaning they can produce any cell type in the body. This gives them tremendous potential in science and medicine since they can generate specific cell types for use in research or to replace body cells lost due to damage or disease.
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their access...
01:26Stem Cell Niche
The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...
00:57Embryonic Stem Cells
Embryonic stem (ES) cells were first discovered in mice in 1981 by Martin Evans. In 1998, James Thomson identified a method to isolate embryonic stem cells from humans. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are obtained from 3-5 day old embryos that remain unused after an in vitro fertilization procedure.
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
ES cells are grown in a culture medium where they can divide indefinitely, creating ES cell lines. Under certain conditions, ES cells can differentiate, either spontaneously into a variety of...
01:24Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for injury repair.