Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
19:41
Immunocytochemistry: Human Neural Stem Cells
Published on: August 24, 2007
27.1K
Cytokines make an indelible impression on neural stem cells
Elise C Cope1, Elizabeth Gould
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Florida State University College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
Cell Stem Cell
|November 12, 2013
Summary
Maternal infections during pregnancy can impact offspring brain development. Exposure to the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 affects forebrain stem cells, potentially increasing neuropsychiatric disorder risks.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Pregnancy infections are linked to offspring neuropsychiatric disorders.
- Mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of maternal infection-induced inflammation on offspring brain development.
- To determine if Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a role in these developmental effects.
Main Methods:
- Maternal exposure to IL-6 during embryogenesis.
- Analysis of forebrain stem cell pools in offspring.
Main Results:
- Maternal IL-6 exposure resulted in lasting alterations to forebrain stem cell populations.
- These effects were observed during embryogenesis and persisted throughout life.
Conclusions:
- Maternal inflammatory cytokine IL-6 exposure during pregnancy can have long-term consequences on offspring brain development.
- This provides a potential mechanism linking prenatal infections to increased risks of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Stem Cell Niche
5.0K
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...
5.0K
01:29Somatic to iPS Cell Reprogramming
2.1K
Reprogramming alters the gene expression in somatic cells, transforming them into induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells over several generations. Scientists can reprogram cells by introducing genes for four transcription factors—Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc (OSKM) by viral or non-viral methods. These factors are also known as Yamanaka factors after Shinya Yamanaka, who first generated iPS cells using mouse skin cells. Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2012...
2.1K
01:15Neurogenesis and Regeneration of Nervous Tissue
2.1K
In the CNS, neurogenesis, the birth of new neurons from stem cells, is limited to the hippocampus in adults. In other regions of the brain and spinal cord, neurogenesis is almost non-existent due to inhibitory influences from neuroglia, especially oligodendrocytes, and the absence of growth-stimulating cues. The myelin produced by oligodendrocytes in the CNS inhibits neuronal regeneration. Furthermore, astrocytes proliferate rapidly after neuronal damage, forming scar tissue that physically...
2.1K
01:01Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
3.5K
All blood and immune cells are produced from the multipotent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) by the process of hematopoiesis. However, they all have a limited life span. In addition, many are depleted in immune surveillance or combatting an injury or infection. This makes blood one of the most regenerative tissues. Hematopoiesis helps replenish these blood and immune cells, restoring the body's normal functioning. However, overproduction of blood and immune cells can make them cancerous or...
3.5K
01:13Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
23.0K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different types of cells. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are post-mitotic—that is, they no longer divide. However, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they “de-differentiate” and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are also pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are therefore...
23.0K
01:06Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
4.8K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
Somatic...
4.8K