
星形膠質細胞,在中樞神經系統(CNS)zui豐富的細胞群,是正常的神經功能所必需的。本研究表明,從胚胎發育的角度來看,星形膠質細胞按照它們在腦室區中的胚胎起源位點被分配到小鼠脊髓和大腦區域。這些區域保持穩定,在小鼠整個生命過程中都沒有發生二次切線遷移的證據,甚至在急性中樞神經系統損傷后也保持穩定。
在腹側脊髓中區域特異性去除星形膠質細胞,導致異常的運動神經元突觸發生。這不能由來自毗鄰地區的星形膠質細胞遷移所補救。
該研究結果表明,區域限制的星形膠質細胞的分配是中樞神經系統的一種普遍現象,同時揭示了星形膠質細胞損傷反應的內在限制。
原文摘要:
Regional Astrocyte Allocation Regulates CNS Synaptogenesis and Repair
Hui-Hsin Tsai1,2,5, Huiliang Li6,*, Luis C. Fuentealba4,5,*, Anna V. Molofsky1,3,5,*, Raquel Taveira-Marques6,*, Helin Zhuang6, April Tenney1,2, Alice T. Murnen1,2,5, Stephen P. J. Fancy1,2,5, Florian Merkle4,?, Nicoletta Kessaris6, Arturo Alvarez-Buylla4,5,?, William D. Richardson6,?, David H. Rowitch1,2,4,5
Astrocytes, the most abundant cell population in the central nervous system (CNS), are essential for normal neurological function. We show that astrocytes are allocated to spatial domains in murine spinal cord and brain in accordance with their embryonic sites of origin in the ventricular zone. These domains remain stable throughout life without evidence of secondary tangential migration, even after acute CNS injury. Domain-specific depletion of astrocytes in ventral spinal cord resulted in abnormal motor neuron synaptogenesis, which was not rescued by immigration of astrocytes from adjoining regions. Our findings demonstrate that region-restricted astrocyte allocation is a general CNS phenomenon and reveal intrinsic limitations of the astroglial response to injury.