The dispersion and differentiation of the transplanted adult neuronal percursors in the adult striatum

Abstract

P224 The neuronal precursors persist in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) and they may also be present in the adult rostral migratory stream (RMS). In the present study, we examined whether the cells derived from the adult SVZ and RMS can survive and retain their ability to migrate and differentiate into neurons when they are transplanted into adult brain. Donor cells were harvested from the SVZ and RMS in the adult Wistar rats and were cultured for ten days before transplantation. To distinguish donor cells from those of the host after transplantation, the donor cells were labeled with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). The BrdU labeled donor cells were transplanted into the cortex and striatum of the adult male Wistar rats (n=16). The rats were sacrificed at 7 days (n=8) and 28 days (n=8) after transplantation. Grafted cells were present within the recipient regions in the rats sacrificed 7days after transplantation. However, 28 days after transplantation the BrdU labeled cells derived from both the SVZ and RMS migrated extensively from their implantation site a radial distance of approximately 2 mm in the striatum but not in the cortex. Double immuofluorescent staining revealed that 65% of grafted cells were neurons (both BrdU and MAP2 immunoreactive) and 20% were astrocytes (both BrdU and GFAP immunoreactive). Our data demonstrate that the transplanted adult neuronal precursors from both the SVZ and RMS retain their capability to migrate and differentiate in the adult striatum.