ZEB1 and Neural Stem Cells: Insights into Microglia-Conditioned Medium-Driven Neuroinflammation

Neuroinflammation is a key response to disturbed CNS homeostasis, largely mediated by activated microglia, and excessive microglia-driven inflammation can negatively impact neurogenesis. ZEB1 plays a crucial role in neurogenesis and brain development by influencing neural stem cell (NSC) maintenance, proliferation, and differentiation. This study aimed to evaluate how the knockdown of ZEB1 influences the behavior of NSCs in inflammatory environments. NSCs were isolated from the subventricular zone of rats, and ZEB1 knockdown was achieved using ZEB1 siRNA. A conditioned medium derived from lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia was utilized to induce inflammatory responses in NSCs. The silencing of ZEB1 in NSCs significantly reduced the expression of ZEB1. Furthermore, ZEB1 knockdown in NSCs resulted in a significant decrease in neurosphere formation, cell migration ability, reactive oxygen species generation, and various cytokine levels under both non-inflammatory and inflammatory conditions. These findings reveal the regulatory role of ZEB1 in the modulation of NSC behavior, suggesting that targeting ZEB1 may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for neuroinflammatory CNS disorders.