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Progenitor cell proliferation outside the ventricular and subventricular zones during human brain development
1Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, Massachusetts, USA.
Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology
|December 1, 1996
Summary
Human fetal brain development involves progenitor cells in the intermediate zone (IZ) outside the ventricular zone (VZ) and subventricular zone (SVZ). These cells contribute to glial lineages within developing white matter.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The ventricular zone (VZ) and subventricular zone (SVZ) are primary sources of neurons and glia in the fetal brain.
- Rodent studies identified progenitor cells in the intermediate zone (IZ), but their role in human development is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence of mitotically active progenitor cells in the human fetal brain's IZ.
- To identify the cell types originating from these IZ progenitor cells.
Main Methods:
- Studied human fetal and infant brains (15-38 weeks gestation) using a monoclonal antibody for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).
- Analyzed PCNA-immunopositive cells in the internal capsule, cerebral white matter, and cerebral cortex.
- Used anti-GFAP immunostaining to identify glial lineage markers.
Main Results:
- PCNA-positive cells were found in the internal capsule and cerebral white matter between 15-20 weeks gestation.
- Cell counts in the internal capsule decreased by the second trimester, while white matter counts remained stable.
- Limited staining was observed in late gestation; some progenitors showed glial lineage markers (GFAP).
Conclusions:
- A population of progenitor cells proliferates within nascent white matter tracts during human brain development.
- These findings indicate a source of glial cells beyond the traditional VZ/SVZ in the developing human brain.