Abstract
The inferior colliculus (IC) is a nucleus of the auditory pathway and its fourth relay station. It integrates afferent information from the superior olivary complex and the cochlear nucleus. To date, no causal therapeutic options are known for damaged neuronal structures in this area. Regenerative medicine offers a potential approach to causally treating hearing impairment. After neural stem cells had been identified in certain areas of the auditory pathway, the question arouses, whether the IC also has a neurogenic potential. Cells from the IC of postnatal day 6 rats were extracted and cultured as neurospheres. Cells in the neurospheres showed mitotic activity and positive stain of neural stem cell markers (Nestin, DCX, Atoh1, and Sox-2). In addition, single cells were differentiated into neuronal and glial cells shown by the markers β-III-tubulin, GFAP, and MBP. In summary, basic stem cell criteria could be detected and characterized in cells isolated from the IC of the rat. These findings will lead to a better understanding of the development of the auditory pathway and may also be relevant for identifying causal therapeutic approaches in the future.
Highlights
In the course of embryonal development, neurogenesis is responsible for the origin of all forms of neurons in an organism
The two main characteristics of neural stem cells (NSCs) are their capacity of self-renewal and their potential to differentiate into neural progenitor cells and into all cells of the neuronal lineage including neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes [12]
This study proves for the first time the cardinal criteria of neural stem cells within the rat inferior colliculus, the fourth relay station of the ascendant auditory pathway
Summary
In the course of embryonal development, neurogenesis is responsible for the origin of all forms of neurons in an organism. Postnatal and adult neurogenesis has been identified in two primary zones of the central nervous system: the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus [2] and the subventricular zone (SVZ) [3] In addition to these primary centers, further neurogenic niches appeared in mammals: the cortex [4], the striatum [5], the septum [5], the spinal cord [6], the dorsal vagal complex [7], and the optic nerve [4]. Since their first description [8], possible functional aspects of neurogenesis for learning processes and memory formation have been discussed [9]. The two main characteristics of NSCs are their capacity of self-renewal and their potential to differentiate into neural progenitor cells and into all cells of the neuronal lineage including neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes [12]
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