Journal of Cell Science & Therapy
Open Access
ISSN: 2157-7013
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2157-7013
+44 1300 500008
Thazhumpal Chacko Mathew
Kuwait University, Kuwait
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Cell Sci Ther
Neural stem cell niches have been located in different regions of the mammalian brain. Recent studies indicate that ependymal cells, a single layered membrane that lines the ventricles of the brain and central canal of the spinal cord are neural stem cells that give rise to new neurons in the adult nervous system. In this work, we present evidence that supraependymal cells constitute a novel population of rapidly proliferating cell type that generates neurons. In this study, twelve Wistar rats (150-200 g) were divided into three equal groups. Group-1 was used as normal control. Group-2 and 3 were used for unilateral cervical sympathectomy and as sham control respectively. At seven and fifteen days following unilateral sympathectomy and sham operation under deep anesthesia, animals were perfused transcardially and the brains were dissected out and the floors of the third ventricles were processed for scanning microscopy. Scanning electron microscopic studies showed that after unilateral cervical sympathectomy, there was a profound increase in the number of supraependymal neurons on the infundibular floor of the third ventricle as compared to the sham operated animals. This increase following unilateral cervical sympathectomy was much larger at fifteen days as compared to that observed after seven days. In conclusion, supraependymal cells of the ventricular floor may represent a novel niche of neural stem cells in the adult mammalian brain that proliferate and differentiate in response to changes in sympathetic activity. Further studies are necessary to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of proliferation and differentiation of supraependymal cells.
Email: tcmkwt@gmail.com