Central Nervous System Progenitor Cells Research Articles

Genetic Regulation of Vertebrate Forebrain Development by Homeobox Genes.

Forebrain development in vertebrates is regulated by transcription factors encoded by homeobox, bHLH and forkhead gene families throughout the progressive and overlapping stages of neural induction and patterning, regional specification and generation of neurons and glia from central nervous system (CNS) progenitor cells. Moreover, cell fate decisions, differentiation and migration of these committed CNS progenitors are controlled by the gene regulatory networks that are regulated by various homeodomain-containing transcription factors, including but not limited to those of the Pax (paired), Nkx, Otx (orthodenticle), Gsx/Gsh (genetic screened), and Dlx (distal-less) homeobox gene families. This comprehensive review outlines the integral role of key homeobox transcription factors and their target genes on forebrain development, focused primarily on the telencephalon. Furthermore, links of these transcription factors to human diseases, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and brain tumors are provided.

Niche stiffness underlies the ageing of central nervous system progenitor cells.

Aging causes a decline in tissue regeneration due to a loss of function in adult stem and progenitor cell populations1. An important example is the deterioration of the regenerative capacity of the widespread and abundant population of central nervous system (CNS) multipotent stem cells known as oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs)2. A relatively overlooked potential source for this loss of function is the stem cell niche, a source of cell-extrinsic cues including chemical and mechanical signalling3,4. In this study, we show that the OPC microenvironment stiffens with age, and that this stiffening is sufficient to cause age-related OPC loss of function. Using biological and novel synthetic scaffolds to mimic the stiffness of young brain we find that isolated aged OPCs (aOPCs) cultured on these scaffolds are molecularly and functionally rejuvenated. When we disrupt mechanical signalling, OPC proliferation and differentiation rates are increased. We identify the mechanoresponsive ion channel Piezo1 as a key mediator of OPC mechanical signalling. Inhibition of Piezo1 overrides mechanical signals in vivo and allows OPCs to maintain activity in the aging CNS. We also show that Piezo1 plays an important role in regulating cell number during CNS development. Thus, we show that tissue stiffness is an important regulator of aging in OPCs, and provide new insights into how adult stem and progenitor cell function changes with age. These findings are of fundamental importance not only for the development of regenerative therapies but also for understanding the aging process itself.

Heterogeneous generation of new cells in the adult echinoderm nervous system.

Adult neurogenesis, generation of new functional cells in the mature central nervous system (CNS), has been documented in a number of diverse organisms, ranging from humans to invertebrates. However, the origin and evolution of this phenomenon is still poorly understood for many of the key phylogenetic groups. Echinoderms are one such phylum, positioned as a sister group to chordates within the monophyletic clade Deuterostomia. They are well known for the ability of their adult organs, including the CNS, to completely regenerate after injury. Nothing is known, however, about production of new cells in the nervous tissue under normal physiological conditions in these animals. In this study, we show that new cells are continuously generated in the mature radial nerve cord (RNC) of the sea cucumber Holothuria glaberrima. Importantly, this neurogenic activity is not evenly distributed, but is significantly more extensive in the lateral regions of the RNC than along the midline. Some of the new cells generated in the apical region of the ectoneural neuroepithelium leave their place of origin and migrate basally to populate the neural parenchyma. Gene expression analysis showed that generation of new cells in the adult sea cucumber CNS is associated with transcriptional activity of genes known to be involved in regulation of various aspects of neurogenesis in other animals. Further analysis of one of those genes, the transcription factor Myc, showed that it is expressed, in some, but not all radial glial cells, suggesting heterogeneity of this CNS progenitor cell population in echinoderms.

Purinergic signalling in neuroregeneration.

Purinergic signalling in neuroregeneration.

Differentiation of Human Fetal Multipotential Neural Progenitor Cells to Astrocytes Reveals Susceptibility Factors for JC Virus

Viral infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are of increasing concern, especially among immunocompromised populations. Rodent models are often inappropriate for studies of CNS infection, as many viruses, including JC virus (JCV) and HIV, cannot replicate in rodent cells. Consequently, human fetal brain-derived multipotential CNS progenitor cells (NPCs) that can be differentiated into neurons, oligodendrocytes, or astrocytes have served as a model in CNS studies. NPCs can be nonproductively infected by JCV, while infection of progenitor-derived astrocytes (PDAs) is robust. We profiled cellular gene expression at multiple times during differentiation of NPCs to PDAs. Several activated transcription factors show commonality between cells of the brain, in which JCV replicates, and lymphocytes, in which JCV is likely latent. Bioinformatic analysis determined transcription factors that may influence the favorable transcriptional environment for JCV in PDAs. This study attempts to provide a framework for understanding the functional transcriptional profile necessary for productive JCV infection.

CHMP1A encodes an essential regulator of BMI1-INK4A in cerebellar development

Charged multivesicular body protein 1A (CHMP1A; also known as chromatin-modifying protein 1A) is a member of the ESCRT-III (endosomal sorting complex required for transport-III) complex but is also suggested to localize to the nuclear matrix and regulate chromatin structure. Here, we show that loss-of-function mutations in human CHMP1A cause reduced cerebellar size (pontocerebellar hypoplasia) and reduced cerebral cortical size (microcephaly). CHMP1A-mutant cells show impaired proliferation, with increased expression of INK4A, a negative regulator of stem cell proliferation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation suggests loss of the normal INK4A repression by BMI in these cells. Morpholino-based knockdown of zebrafish chmp1a resulted in brain defects resembling those seen after bmi1a and bmi1b knockdown, which were partially rescued by INK4A ortholog knockdown, further supporting links between CHMP1A and BMI1-mediated regulation of INK4A. Our results suggest that CHMP1A serves as a critical link between cytoplasmic signals and BMI1-mediated chromatin modifications that regulate proliferation of central nervous system progenitor cells.

HIV‐1 alters neural and glial progenitor cell dynamics in the central nervous system: Coordinated response to opiates during maturation

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs) are common sequelae of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, even when viral titers are well controlled by antiretroviral therapy. Evidence in patients and animal models suggests that neurologic deficits are increased during chronic opiate exposure. We have hypothesized that central nervous system (CNS) progenitor cells in both adult and developing CNS are affected by HIV infection and that opiates exacerbate these effects. To examine this question, neural progenitors were exposed to HIV-1 Tat(1-86) in the developing brain of inducible transgenic mice and in vitro. We examined whether Tat affected the proliferation or balance of progenitor populations expressing nestin, Sox2, and Olig2. Disease relevance was further tested by exposing human-derived progenitors to supernatant from HIV-1 infected monocytes. Studies concentrated on striatum, a region preferentially targeted by HIV and opiates. Results were similar among experimental paradigms. Tat or HIV exposure reduced the proliferation of undifferentiated (Sox2(+)) progenitors and oligodendroglial (Olig2(+)) progenitors. Coexposure to morphine exacerbated the effects of Tat or HIV-1(SF162) supernatant, but partially reversed HIV-1(IIIB) supernatant effects. Populations of Sox2(+) and Olig2(+) cells were also reduced by Tat exposure, although progenitor survival was unaffected. In rare instances, p24 immunolabeling was detected in viable human progenitors by confocal imaging. The vulnerability of progenitors is likely to distort the dynamic balance among neuron/glial populations as the brain matures, perhaps contributing to reports that neurologic disease is especially prevalent in pediatric HIV patients. Pediatric disease is atypical in developed regions but remains a serious concern in resource-limited areas where infection occurs commonly at birth and through breast feeding.

Nonlesions, Unusual Cell Types, and Postmortem Artifacts in the Central Nervous System of Domestic Animals

In the central nervous system (CNS) of domestic animals, numerous specialized normal structures, unusual cell types, findings of uncertain or no significance, artifacts, and various postmortem alterations can be observed. They may cause confusion for inexperienced pathologists and those not specialized in neuropathology, leading to misinterpretations and wrong diagnoses. Alternatively, changes may mask underlying neuropathological processes. "Specialized structures" comprising the hippocampus and the circumventricular organs, including the vascular organ of the lamina terminalis, subfornical organ, subcommissural organ, pineal gland, median eminence/neurohypophyseal complex, choroid plexus, and area postrema, are displayed. Unusual cell types, including cerebellar external germinal cells, CNS progenitor cells, and Kolmer cells, are presented. In addition, some newly recognized cell types as of yet incompletely understood significance and functionality, such as synantocytes and aldynoglia, are introduced and described. Unusual reactive astrocytes in cats, central chromatolysis, neuronal vacuolation, spheroids, spongiosis, satellitosis, melanosis, neuromelanin, lipofuscin, polyglucosan bodies, and psammoma bodies may represent incidental findings of uncertain or no significance and should not be confused with significant microscopic changes. Auto- and heterolysis as well as handling and histotechnological processing may cause postmortem morphological changes of the CNS, including vacuolization, cerebellar conglutination, dark neurons, Buscaino bodies, freezing, and shrinkage artifacts, all of which have to be differentiated from genuine lesions. Postmortem invasion of micro-organisms should not be confused with intravital infections. Awareness of these different changes and their recognition are a prerequisite for identifying genuine lesions and may help to formulate a professional morphological and etiological diagnosis.

Interplay between FGF2 and BMP controls the self-renewal, dormancy and differentiation of rat neural stem cells

Mouse and human central nervous system progenitor cells can be propagated extensively ex vivo as stem cell lines. For the rat, however, in vitro expansion has proven to be problematic owing to proliferation arrest and differentiation. Here, we analyse the establishment, in adherent culture, of undifferentiated tripotent neural stem (NS) cell lines derived from rat foetal brain and spinal cord. Rat NS cells invariably undergo growth arrest and apparent differentiation after several passages; however, conditioned medium from proliferating cultures can overcome this block, enabling continuous propagation of undifferentiated rat NS cells. We found that dormancy is induced by autocrine production of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Accordingly, the BMP antagonist noggin can replace conditioned medium to sustain continuous self-renewal. Noggin can also induce dormant cells to re-enter the cell cycle, upon which they reacquire neurogenic potential. We further show that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is required to suppress terminal astrocytic differentiation and maintain stem cell potency during dormancy. These findings highlight an extrinsic regulatory network, comprising BMPs, BMP antagonists and FGF2 signals, that governs the proliferation, dormancy and differentiation of rat NS cells and which can be manipulated to enable long-term clonogenic self-renewal.

Interplay between FGF2 and BMP controls the self-renewal, dormancy and differentiation of rat neural stem cells.

Mouse and human central nervous system progenitor cells can be propagated extensively ex vivo as stem cell lines. For the rat, however, in vitro expansion has proven to be problematic owing to proliferation arrest and differentiation. Here, we analyse the establishment, in adherent culture, of undifferentiated tripotent neural stem (NS) cell lines derived from rat foetal brain and spinal cord. Rat NS cells invariably undergo growth arrest and apparent differentiation after several passages; however, conditioned medium from proliferating cultures can overcome this block, enabling continuous propagation of undifferentiated rat NS cells. We found that dormancy is induced by autocrine production of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Accordingly, the BMP antagonist noggin can replace conditioned medium to sustain continuous self-renewal. Noggin can also induce dormant cells to re-enter the cell cycle, upon which they reacquire neurogenic potential. We further show that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is required to suppress terminal astrocytic differentiation and maintain stem cell potency during dormancy. These findings highlight an extrinsic regulatory network, comprising BMPs, BMP antagonists and FGF2 signals, that governs the proliferation, dormancy and differentiation of rat NS cells and which can be manipulated to enable long-term clonogenic self-renewal.

Visual Activity Regulates Neural Progenitor Cells in Developing Xenopus CNS through Musashi1

Regulation of progenitor cell fate determines the numbers of neurons in the developing brain. While proliferation of neural progenitors predominates during early central nervous system (CNS) development, progenitor cell fate shifts toward differentiation as CNS circuits develop, suggesting that signals from developing circuits may regulate proliferation and differentiation. We tested whether activity regulates neurogenesis invivo in the developing visual system of Xenopus tadpoles. Both cell proliferation and the number of musashi1-immunoreactive progenitors in the optic tectum decrease as visual system connections become stronger. Visual deprivation for 2days increased proliferation of musashi1-immunoreactive radial glial progenitors, while visual experience increased neuronal differentiation. Morpholino-mediated knockdown and overexpression of musashi1 indicate that musashi1 is necessary and sufficient for neural progenitor proliferation in the CNS. These data demonstrate a mechanism by which increased brain activity in developing circuits decreases cell proliferation and increases neuronal differentiation through the downregulation of musashi1 in response to circuit activity.

The Development of Cannabinoid CBII Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Central Neuropathies

Two cannabinoids receptors have been characterised in mammals; cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CBI) which is ubiquitous in the central nervous system (CNS), and cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CBII) that is expressed mainly in immune cells. Cannabinoids have been used in the treatment of nausea and emesis, anorexia and cachexia, tremor and pain associated with multiple sclerosis. These treatments are limited by the psychoactive side-effects of CBI activation. Recently CBII has been described within the CNS, both in microglia and neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs), but with few exceptions, not by neurons within the CNS. This has suggested that CBII agonists could have potential to treat various conditions without psycho-activity. This article reviews the potential for CBII agonists as treatments for neurological conditions, with a focus on microglia and NPCs as drug targets. We first discuss the role of microglia in the healthy brain, and then the role of microglia in chronic neuroinflammatory disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, as well as in neuroinflammation following acute brain injury such as stroke and global hypoxia. As activation of CBII receptor on microglia results in suppression of the proliferation and activation of microglia, there is potential for the anti-inflammatory properties of CBII agonist to treat neuropathologies that involve heightened microglia activity. In addition, activating CBII receptors may result in an increase in proliferation and affect migration of NPCs. Therefore, it is possible that CBII agonists may assist in the treatment of neuropathologies by increasing neurogenesis. In the second part of the article, we review the state of development of CBII selective drugs with an emphasis on critical aspects of CBII agonist structural activity relationship (SAR).

Nestin in Human Skin: Exclusive Expression in Intramesenchymal Skin Compartments and Regulation by Leptin

Cutaneous nestin+ cells are of substantial interest in regenerative medicine. However, the location of nestin+ cells in situ remains controversial. We therefore sought to determine their location in female human scalp skin, using stringently controlled immunohistochemical techniques, Western blot analysis, and in situ hybridization and complementing those techniques with relative and quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR of enzymatically digested or laser-capture microdissected human hair follicle (HF) compartments. We show here that the immunoreactivity (IR) patterns obtained with anti-nestin antibodies are highly dependent on the tissue-fixation and immunohistochemical methods used. NESTIN mRNA could not be detected within HF-associated epithelial cells in situ or in RNA extracts of the microdissected HF epithelium. Instead, NESTIN transcripts were found only in intramesenchymal skin compartments. Individual cells showing both, specific nestin IR and NESTIN mRNA were detectable in the connective-tissue sheaths of human HFs, sebaceous and sweat glands. Moreover, stimulation of organ-cultured human scalp skin with the adipokine leptin increased the number of nestin+ cells in these intramesenchymal skin locations, whereas no specific nestin IR could be induced by leptin within the HF epithelium, including the bulge. Therefore, nestin expression at the gene and protein levels in human scalp skin is restricted to the periappendage mesenchyme and can be stimulated by leptin.

Isolation and Expansion of Oligodendrocytes from Thawed, Cryopreserved Human Umblilical Cord Blood

While transplantation of unrelated umbilical cord blood (UCB) halts the progression of neurological damage in children with lysosomal storage diseases (LSD), it does not necessarily reverse the damage sustained before transplant. Isolation and expansion of central nervous system progenitor cells from UCB has potential therapeutic application in treating these patients. We have recently described the reliable isolation and expansion of oligodendrocyte-like precursor cells (OPC) from freshly collected, non-crypreserved UCB (Tracy et al. Cytotherapy . 2008, 3:1–8). We anticipate utilizing these cells as adjuvant, targeted therapy to reduce the time to donor cell correction/prevention of disease-induced CNS injury. This approach will require use of cyropreserved donor UCB. We now demonstrate the feasibility of isolating and expanding OPCs from a series of thawed, cryopreserved UCB units and comparing those cells to OPCs derived from fresh UCB units. Cryopreserved UCB units were thawed using a standard protocol employed in clinical transplantation. Mononuclear cells were isolated by either ficoll density separation or centrifugation after a dextran-albumin wash. Fresh UCB units underwent hetastarch depletion of red blood cells then mononuclear cell isolation by ficoll density gradient separation. Both types of cells were plated at 3×10(6) cells/ml in media containing platelet derived growth factor, neurotopin 3, vascular endothelial growth factor, and triiodothyronine. All UCB unit cultures were trypsinized at 21 days, counted, then characterize by flow cytometry after being fixed, permeablized, and labeled with the following antibodies: anti-oligidendrocyte marker 4 (O4), anti-oligidendrocyte marker 1 (O1), anti-myelin basic protein (MBP). To examine phenotypic changes over time, cultures from two units (one thawed, one fresh) were also analyzed weekly over 4 weeks. On flow cytometric analysis, 72% of thawed UCB units yielded O4-expressing cells as at least 20% of total events compared with 94% of fresh UCB units (Table 1). Average oligodendrocyte yield per UCB unit was less for thawed units (9.65×10(5)) compared with fresh (3.77×10(6)). However, within the gated population, expression of O1, O4, and MBP was similar between thawed and fresh cords. We also noted early expression of the preoligodendrocyte marker O4 by 1–2 weeks in culture, followed by increasing expression of mature oligodendrocyte markers O1 and MBP over the subsequent 2–4 weeks (Table 2). Our results demonstrate that oligodendrocyte precursor cells can be derived reliably from thawed, cryopreserved UCB units, and suggest the feasibility of using these cells in human clinical trials.Table 1: Characteristics of UCB-Derived OligodendrocytesThawed UCB UnitsFresh UCB UnitsTotal Units Cultured1816Mean # mononuclear cells plated/UCB Unit2.55×10(8)1.4×10(8)Final oligodendrocyte cell count/UCB Unit8.41×10(5)3.7×10(6)Units with O4 expression >20% of total events13 (72%)15 (94%)Events in gate as % total events58.2677.83O4 expression (% of gated)83.6686.45O1 expression (% of gated)88.1386.29MBP expression (% of gated)31.1031.41Co-expression of MBP-O1 (% of gated)28.5031.86Table 2: Expression of Markers by UCB-Derived OligodendrocytesThawed UCB UnitFresh UCB UnitDayO1MBPMBP+ O1DayO1MBPMBP+ O1Day 795.7510.149.45Day 768.7825.1312.11Day 1498.0735.9335.74Day 1497.7134.0333.75Day 2195.2435.4331.80Day 2199.2234.8234.72Day 2899.6951.0851.04Day 2896.4924.1023.40

Environmental cues from CNS, PNS, and ENS cells regulate CNS progenitor differentiation

Cellular origin and environmental cues regulate stem cell fate determination. Neuroepithelial stem cells form the central nervous system (CNS), whereas neural crest stem cells generate the peripheral (PNS) and enteric nervous system (ENS). CNS neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) fate determination was investigated in combination with dissociated cultures or conditioned media from CNS, PNS, or ENS. Cells or media from ENS or PNS cultures efficiently promoted NSPC differentiation into neurons, glia, and smooth muscle cells with a similar morphology as the feeder culture. Together with CNS cells or its conditioned medium, NSPC differentiation was partly inhibited and cells remained immature. Here, we demonstrate that secreted factors from the environment can influence CNS progenitor cells to choose a PNS-like cell fate.

Systemic 5-fluorouracil treatment causes a syndrome of delayed myelin destruction in the central nervous system

BackgroundCancer treatment with a variety of chemotherapeutic agents often is associated with delayed adverse neurological consequences. Despite their clinical importance, almost nothing is known about the basis for such effects. It is not even known whether the occurrence of delayed adverse effects requires exposure to multiple chemotherapeutic agents, the presence of both chemotherapeutic agents and the body's own response to cancer, prolonged damage to the blood-brain barrier, inflammation or other such changes. Nor are there any animal models that could enable the study of this important problem.ResultsWe found that clinically relevant concentrations of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; a widely used chemotherapeutic agent) were toxic for both central nervous system (CNS) progenitor cells and non-dividing oligodendrocytes in vitro and in vivo. Short-term systemic administration of 5-FU caused both acute CNS damage and a syndrome of progressively worsening delayed damage to myelinated tracts of the CNS associated with altered transcriptional regulation in oligodendrocytes and extensive myelin pathology. Functional analysis also provided the first demonstration of delayed effects of chemotherapy on the latency of impulse conduction in the auditory system, offering the possibility of non-invasive analysis of myelin damage associated with cancer treatment.ConclusionsOur studies demonstrate that systemic treatment with a single chemotherapeutic agent, 5-FU, is sufficient to cause a syndrome of delayed CNS damage and provide the first animal model of delayed damage to white-matter tracts of individuals treated with systemic chemotherapy. Unlike that caused by local irradiation, the degeneration caused by 5-FU treatment did not correlate with either chronic inflammation or extensive vascular damage and appears to represent a new class of delayed degenerative damage in the CNS.

Creating an Immune-Privileged Site Using Retinal Progenitor Cells and Biodegradable Polymers

We describe the creation of local immune privilege (IP) using retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and biodegradable polymers. Murine RPCs were seeded on poly(lactic-coglycolic acid) polymers to generate composite grafts. Composites or RPCs alone were transplanted into allogeneic kidney capsules. Grafts survived at all time points, differentiating into neurons and astrocytes. Upon treatment with interferon gamma (IFNgamma), major histocompatibility complex antigens were upregulated. Although 10% of IFNgamma-treated RPC grafts survived 14 days, 66% of the IFNgamma-treated composites survived in part by producing immune suppressive factors transforming growth factor-beta2, Fas ligand, and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. The composites were assayed for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) by seeding composites with antigen-presenting cells incubated with ovalbumin. This resulted in suppression of ovalbumin-specific DTH, indicating that composite grafts consisting of biodegradable polymers and central nervous system progenitor cells can be used to generate local IP. This technology may be used to promote the survival of nonprivileged grafts (e.g., pancreas, liver, or skin). Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.

Ablation of central nervous system progenitor cells in transgenic rats using bacterial nitroreductase system

Specific ablation of central nervous system (CNS) progenitor cells in the brain of live animals is a powerful method to determine the functions of these cells and to reveal novel avenues for the treatment of several CNS-related disorders. To achieve this goal, we generated a line of transgenic rats expressing a bacterial enzyme, Escherichia coli nitroreductase gene (NTR), under control of the nestin promoter. In this system, NTR(+) cells are selectively eliminated upon application of prodrug CB1954, through activation of programmed cell death machineries. At 5 days of age, which is a time when cerebellar development is occurring, transgenic rats bearing the nestin-NTR/green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene are overtly normal and express NTR/GFP in neuronal stem cells, without any toxicity in these cells. The functional consequence of progenitor cell ablation was demonstrated by administering prodrug CB1954 into the cerebellum at this 5-day time point. Stem cell ablation in these neonates resulted in sensorimotor abnormalities, cerebellar degeneration, overall reduction in cerebellar seize, and manifestation of ataxia. In adult rats, GFP expression was not seen in the hippocampal progenitor cells and seen only at very low levels in the lateral ventricles, indicating a different NTR/GFP expression pattern between neonates and adults. In addition, application of CB1954 by intraventricular delivery reduced the number of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine-labeled proliferating cells in the lateral ventricle but not hippocampus of NTR/GFP rats. These findings shows that targeted expression of NTR under a specific promoter might be of significant value in addressing the function of distinct cell population in vivo.

Chemically Diverse Toxicants Converge on Fyn and c-Cbl to Disrupt Precursor Cell Function

Identification of common mechanistic principles that shed light on the action of the many chemically diverse toxicants to which we are exposed is of central importance in understanding how toxicants disrupt normal cellular function and in developing more effective means of protecting against such effects. Of particular importance is identifying mechanisms operative at environmentally relevant toxicant exposure levels. Chemically diverse toxicants exhibit striking convergence, at environmentally relevant exposure levels, on pathway-specific disruption of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling required for cell division in central nervous system (CNS) progenitor cells. Relatively small toxicant-induced increases in oxidative status are associated with Fyn kinase activation, leading to secondary activation of the c-Cbl ubiquitin ligase. Fyn/c-Cbl pathway activation by these pro-oxidative changes causes specific reductions, in vitro and in vivo, in levels of the c-Cbl target platelet-derived growth factor receptor-α and other c-Cbl targets, but not of the TrkC RTK (which is not a c-Cbl target). Sequential Fyn and c-Cbl activation, with consequent pathway-specific suppression of RTK signaling, is induced by levels of methylmercury and lead that affect large segments of the population, as well as by paraquat, an organic herbicide. Our results identify a novel regulatory pathway of oxidant-mediated Fyn/c-Cbl activation as a shared mechanism of action of chemically diverse toxicants at environmentally relevant levels, and as a means by which increased oxidative status may disrupt mitogenic signaling. These results provide one of a small number of general mechanistic principles in toxicology, and the only such principle integrating toxicology, precursor cell biology, redox biology, and signaling pathway analysis in a predictive framework of broad potential relevance to the understanding of pro-oxidant–mediated disruption of normal development.

Neural Progenitor Cells Lack Immunogenicity and Resist Destruction as Allografts

Multipotent, self-renewing stem and progenitor cells isolated from the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) have been shown to survive as allografts following transplantation to sites throughout the neuraxis. However, studies of this type shed little light upon the immunologic properties of the cells themselves, primarily because little is learned about the intrinsic immunogenic properties of a cell when it is grafted into an immune-privileged site. We have therefore investigated the immunogenic and antigenic properties of CNS progenitor cells by grafting them into a conventional (i.e., non-immune-privileged) site, namely, beneath the kidney capsule. Our results indicate that allogeneic CNS progenitor cells survive at least 4 weeks in a conventional site, during which time they neither sensitize their hosts nor express detectable levels of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or II. These in vivo data are in accord with flow cytometric results showing that CNS progenitor cells do not express MHC class I or class II, either at baseline or upon differentiation in 10 serum. Exposure to interferon gamma, however, reversibly upregulates expression of these key transplantation antigens. Together, these results reveal CNS progenitor cells to possess inherent immune privilege. Since CNS progenitor cell allografts were rejected beneath the kidney capsule following specific sensitization of the host, CNS progenitor cells were able to display alloantigens, albeit not in an immunogenic form.