Notch信号通路与胶质瘤细胞上皮间充质转化的相关性

目的 探讨Notch信号通路与胶质瘤细胞上皮间充质转化的关系.方法 采用免疫磁珠法从人脑胶质瘤组织分离脑胶质干细胞,进行体外培养,使用免疫荧光技术鉴定细胞;构建Notch-1基因的RNA干扰反转录病毒载体(pSiRNA-Notch-1),试验分为3组,空白对照组(不转染质粒)、阴性对照组(转染空白质粒)和干扰组(转染pSiRNA-Notch-1),观察3组细胞增殖、分化,采用RT-PCR和Western blot检测Notch-1和Hes-1 mRNA和蛋白表达.结果 干扰组培养第7天细胞增殖及细胞分化吸光度值(A)分别为(1.332±0.614)和(1.203±0.783),明显低于空白对照组和阴性对照组(P<0.05);细胞增殖培养3 d后,干扰组Notch-1和Hes-1 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量分别为(0.189±0.021)和(0.301±0.121),(0.422±0.022)和(0.091±0.032),明显低于空白对照组和阴性对照组(P<0.05);细胞分化培养3 d后,干扰组Notch-1和Hes-1 mRNA和蛋白相对表达量分别为(0.253±0.071)和(0.192±0.043),(0.178±0.022)和(0.101±0.012),明显低于空白对照组和阴性对照组(P<0.05).结论 Notch信号通路在胶质瘤细胞增殖分化过程中有重要作用,其中Notch-1和Hes-1可能参与了增殖、分化的调控,需进一步研究.     

Notch信号系统调控骨髓间充质干细胞向心肌样细胞的分化**☆

背景：Notch信号系统在调控骨髓间充质干细胞的定向分化中起关键作用,但尚无涉及干细胞分化为心肌细胞及其分化机制的报道。 目的：分析Notch信号系统在骨髓间充质干细胞分化为心肌细胞过程中的调控作用。 方法：将分离培养的骨髓间充质干细胞与心肌细胞共培养,Jagged1组加入Notch激活剂Jagged1,DAPT组加入Notch激活剂Jagged1和抑制剂DAPT,对照组加入PBS缓冲液。用反转录-聚合酶链反应、免疫组化等方法检测干细胞分化为心肌细胞的情况及Notch信号系统的表达。 结果与结论：骨髓间充质干细胞在体外可分化为心肌细胞,与DAPT组及对照组相比,Jagged1组的干细胞分化为心肌细胞的比率提高,心肌标志物表达增多,并且Notch1和Jagged1表达增强。证实Notch信号系统对骨髓间充质干细胞分化为心肌细胞起正向调控作用。     

Caveolin-1 regulates neural differentiation of rat bone mesenchymal stem cells into neurons by modulating Notch signaling

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known to differentiate into neurons in vitro. However, the mechanism underlying MSC differentiation remains controversial. A recent analysis has shown that Notch signaling is involved in regulating the differentiation of MSCs. This study examines the potential mechanism of the differentiation of MSCs into neurons, and it considers the role of caveolin-1 in this process. We investigated neuron differentiation and Notch signaling by detecting the expression levels of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), Neuron-specific Enolase (NSE), Notch-1, Notch intracellular domain (NICD) and hairy enhancer of split 5 (Hes5). We found that by down-regulating caveolin-1 during induction, MSCs were prone to neural differentiation and expressed high levels of neuronal markers. Meanwhile, the expression levels of Notch-1, NICD and Hes5 decreased. Our results indicate that down-regulation of caveolin-1 promotes the neuronal differentiation of MSCs by modulating the Notch signaling pathway.     

Evidence for Notch signaling involvement in retinal regeneration of adult newt

Involvement of Notch signaling in retinal regeneration by transdifferentiation of pigment epithelium cells was investigated using the adult newt Cynops pyrrhogaster. During retinal regeneration, cells expressing Notch-1 first appeared in the regenerating retina one to two cells thick (stage E-3) originated from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, and increased in number as the regenerating retina increased in thickness. Notch-1 expression was decreased in the central retina in association with cell differentiation and became restricted to the peripheral retina. Administration of a Notch signaling blocker DAPT resulted in the appearance of a cluster of neurons, earlier than in normal regeneration, along the regenerating retina 1-3 cells thick (stage E-3 to I-1). Immunoblot analysis suggested that DAPT could perturb the processing of Notch-1. Similar results were obtained in the newt embryonic retinal development. These results suggest that the Notch-1 signaling system may be reset to regulate neurogenesis during retinal regeneration. However, PCR analysis revealed that the adult newt RPE cells express Hes-1, neurogenin1 and sometimes Delta-1 Hes-1, neurogenin1 and sometimes Delta-1 all of which are differently regulated in association with retinal regeneration, implying that Notch signaling might also be involved early in the process of transdifferentiation.     

Distribution of presenilin 1 and 2 and their relation to Notch receptors and ligands in human embryonic/foetal central nervous system

Notch signaling in vertebrates is mediated by four Notch receptors (Notch-1, -2, -3, and -4) that are activated by interacting with at least five different Notch ligands, Jagged-1, Jagged-2, Delta-1, -2, and -3. Recent studies have shown that the gamma-secretase-like intramembranous cleavage of Notch receptors to release their cytoplasmic signaling domains requires the presenilin (PS) proteins 1 and 2 (PS1 and PS2). Here, we used immunohistochemistry to compare the distribution of all four Notch receptor proteins and three ligands in the context of co-localization with PS1 and PS2 in first trimester human central nervous system (CNS). In addition, we investigated Notch receptors and ligands expression by Western blotting. The study was performed on the forebrain and spinal cord of human embryonic/foetal CNS (5-11 gestational weeks). Results showed a divergent distribution of the different Notch receptor proteins with only Notch-1 being co-localized with PS1 and PS2. Notch-2 was only seen occasionally within the developing cortex and spinal cord. Notch-3 expression was restricted to neuroepithelial cells of the spinal cord and endothelial cells in blood vessels of both developing cerebral cortex and spinal cord. The weak, punctate staining of Notch-4 in the neuroepithelium of the spinal cord could not be confirmed with Western blotting. Neither Notch-2, nor -3 showed overlap with either PS1 or PS2 immunoreactivity. The ligand Jagged-1 was found sporadically in the neuroepithelial cell layer in cerebral cortex of the earlier stages of development and of the spinal cord during the first trimester while Jagged-2 was not detected. Jagged-1 and Jagged-2 immunoreactivities were not found in the 9-11-week cortex. No co-distribution of Jagged-1 and PS1 or PS2 was found. Delta-1 ligand expression was detected in neuroepithelial cells of the ventricular zone of the cerebral cortex, and also in maturating neurons in the cortical plate and ventral horns of the developing spinal cord. The presence of Notch-1, Delta-1 and Jagged-1 in the neuroepithelium of developing CNS indicates that Notch signaling in proliferating human progenitor cells only involves these two receptor ligands and that cleavage of Notch-1 is mediated both by PS1 and PS2. The strong immunoreactivity of Notch-1, Delta-1 and PS1 in the cortical plate and in maturating neurons of the spinal cord also suggests that these proteins may regulate the maturation processes of post-mitotic neurons. The pronounced PS1 immunoreactivity in neurites in the hindbrain and spinal cord without detectable expression of any Notch receptor or ligand suggests that a possible role for PS1 in neurite growth involves either gamma-secretase-mediated cleavage of other substrates or gamma-secretase-independent mechanisms.     

In vitro differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells into neurons and glial cells and differential protein expression in a two-compartment bone marrow stromal cell/neuron co-culture system

This study was performed to establish a bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC)/neuron two-compartment co-culture model in which differentiation of BMSCs into neurons could occur without direct contact between the two cell types, and to investigate protein expression changes during differentiation of this entirely BMSC-derived population. Cultured BMSCs isolated from Wistar rats were divided into three groups: BMSC culture, BMSC/neuron co-culture and BMSC/neuron two-compartment co-culture. Cells were examined for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression. The electrophysiological behavior of the BMSCs was examined using patch clamping. Proteins that had significantly different expression levels in BMSCs cultured alone and co-cultured with neurons were studied using a protein chip–mass spectroscopy technique. Expression of NSE and GFAP were significantly higher in co-culture cells than in two-compartment co-culture cells, and significantly higher in both co-culture groups than in BMSCs cultured alone. Five proteins showed significant changes in expression during differentiation: TIP39_RAT and CALC_RAT underwent increases, and INSL6_RAT, PNOC_RAT and PCSK1_RAT underwent decreases in expression. We conclude that BMSCs can differentiate into neurons during both contact co-culture with neurons and two-compartment co-culture with neurons. The rate at which BMSCs differentiated into neurons was higher in contact co-culture than in non-contact co-culture.     

异甘草素对SHG44人脑胶质瘤干细胞增殖和分化的影响

目的探讨不同浓度异甘草素对SHG44人脑胶质瘤干细胞增殖和分化的影响及机制。方法实验分为二甲基亚砜(dimethyl sulfoxide,DMSO)对照组,异甘草素(10~160μmol/L)诱导组,氮-[氮-(3,5-二氟苯乙酰)-L-丙氨酰]-S-苯基甘氨酸丁酯(N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenacetyl)-1-alanyl]-S-ph,DAPT)(2.0μmol/L)阻断剂组,异甘草素+阻断剂组(10~160μmol/L+2.0μmol/L DAPT),采用CCK-8法、免疫荧光染色、Western blot及Real-time PCR分别检测细胞抑制率、相关分化蛋白及Notch1通路相关基因表达情况。结果异甘草素在12~48 h,随着浓度增加,细胞抑制率减弱(P0.05),且分化细胞越多,干细胞减少;72 h后随着浓度增加,细胞抑制率增强(P0.05),分化细胞及干细胞同时减少;隔日加药至第7 d时,经统计分析胶质瘤干细胞球数目减少、直径减小(与对照组比),且P0.05。异甘草素作用72 h后:与对照组比较,随着异甘草素浓度的增加Nestin蛋白表达量逐渐下调(P0.05);与对照组比较,10、40、160μmol/L组GFAP蛋白表达水平均上调(P0.05),且40μmol/L组GFAP蛋白表达量较其他浓度组均较高,(P0.05);与对照组比较,10、40、160μmol/L组β-TubulinⅢ蛋白表达水平均上调(P0.05),且10μmol/L组β-TubulinⅢ蛋白表达量较其他浓度组均较高(P0.05)。Notch1通路阻断剂作用后,与对照组比较,各异甘草素组和阻断剂组Notch1、RBP-JK及Hes1基因表达均显著下调(P0.05);与异甘草素组比较,Notch1、RBP-JK及Hes1基因表达在异甘草素加DAPT组及阻断剂组显著下调(P0.05);与阻断剂组比较,Notch1、RBP-JK及Hes1基因表达在异甘草素加DAPT组显著下调(P0.05)。结论异甘草素能诱导SHG44人脑胶质瘤干细胞向星形胶质细胞和神经元细胞分化,且能抑制其增殖,可能与下调Notch1信号通路中的Notch1、RBP-JK及Hes1有关。     

Wnt3a促进大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向神经元样细胞的分化

背景：Wnt信号通路是细胞增殖分化的关键调控环节,但与骨髓间充质干细胞神经分化的联系并不十分明确。 目的：寻找促进骨髓间充质干细胞向神经元样细胞分化的Wnt信号分子。 方法：首先体外分离培养大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞并传代,行形态学观察,并以流式细胞学方法检测细胞表型CD44,CD9,CD34和CD45。采用碱性成纤维细胞生长因子分别联合Wnt3a或Wnt5a的方案诱导分化,应用免疫组化和反转录-聚合酶链反应方法比较Wnt3a和Wnt5a对骨髓间充质干细胞向神经元样细胞分化的影响。 结果与结论：骨髓间充质干细胞为长梭形,CD9,CD44高表达,CD34,CD45低表达。Wnt3a诱导组的巢蛋白和神经元特异烯醇化酶呈阳性,而胶质纤维酸性蛋白无明显表达,诱导后细胞的活力良好。Wnt5a诱导组巢蛋白呈弱阳性表达,而神经元特异烯醇化酶及胶质纤维酸性蛋白阴性。反转录-聚合酶链反应结果显示,Wnt3a诱导组巢蛋白在诱导前后均有表达,神经元特异烯醇化酶在诱导后5 d可见明显的扩增条带,10 d后更加明显。胶质纤维酸性蛋白在诱导10 d后出现较弱的扩增条带。Wnt5a组、对照组骨髓间充质干细胞在诱导后10 d巢蛋白有微弱表达,神经元特异烯醇化酶和胶质纤维酸性蛋白几乎无表达。提示Wnt3a分子能够促进体外培养的骨髓间充质干细胞向神经元样细胞分化。     

Disturbance of Notch-1 and Wnt signalling proteins in neuroglial balloon cells and abnormal large neurons in focal cortical dysplasia in human cortex

Determination of neuroglial cell fate and neural tube development during embryogenesis is influenced by the Notch/Wnt signalling pathway. We have studied the localisation of several proteins in the Wnt pathway in focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). This disorder, thought to be due to abnormalities of neuronal migration and differentiation, contains regions of morphologically normal neocortex interrupted by areas of neuronal laminar disorganisation, heterotopic white matter neurons, abnormal large neurons and balloon cells of uncertain histogenesis. We found that the subcellular distribution of several proteins involved in the Wnt pathway differed in regions of FCD from normal cortex, and that within the areas of FCD, the pattern varied with cellular phenotype. Thus, in balloon cells, elevated cytoplasmic levels of dishevelled (Dvl-1) protein were accompanied by an absence of Notch-1, increased adenomatous poliposis coli (APC), altered cytoplasmic β-catenin, and reduced nuclear expression of β-catenin. A contrasting pattern of expression was found in abnormal large neurons, which demonstrated elevated levels of Notch-1, and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and normal levels of APC. Our results are consistent with the notion that Wnt/Notch signalling influences neuroglial cell fate, and suggest that a perturbation of Wnt/Notch signalling may contribute to the neuropathology of FCD. Received: 11 November 1998 / Revised, accepted: 31 March 1999     

Notch-1mRNA在人脑胶质瘤中的表达及其意义

目的探讨Notch信号通路在人脑胶质瘤发展中的作用。方法收集脑胶质瘤组织标本60例,其中Ⅰ-Ⅱ级胶质瘤35例及Ⅲ-Ⅳ级胶质瘤25例,并取22例瘤旁正常脑组织标本作为对照。采用半定量RT-PCR方法检测这些标本中Notch-l mRNA的表达。结果Notch-1 mRNA在人脑胶质瘤中的表达显著高于正常脑组织（P〈0.01）,且在Ⅲ~Ⅳ级胶质瘤组中的表达显著高于Ⅰ-Ⅱ级组（P〈0.01）。相关性研究发现,Notch-1 mRNA的表达与人脑胶质瘤病理分级呈正相关（r=0.706,P〈0.01）。结论Notch-1mRNA在人正常脑组织和脑胶质瘤中均有表达,但其在脑胶质瘤中的表达与脑胶质瘤的病理分级呈正相关。     

Neural cell co-culture induced differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into neuronal-like cells★

BACKGROUND: It has been previously demonstrated that the neural cell microenvironment has the ability to induce differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into the neural cells. OBJECTIVE: To establish a co-culture system of human BMSCs and neural cells, and to observe effects of this co-culture system on differentiation of human BMSCs into neural cells. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A comparative observation experiment, performed at the Center Labora-tory of the Affiliated Hospital of Medical College Qingdao University from October 2006 to December 2007. MATERIALS: Neural cells were obtained from human fetal brain tissue. BMSCs were harvested from fe-male patients that underwent autonomous stem cell transplantation. METHODS: BMSCs in the co-culture group consisted of BMSCs and third passage neural cells. BMSCs in the control group were solely cultured in vitro. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Morphological changes of BMSCs were observed, and expression of the neuronal specific marker, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining after 4–5-day co-culture. RESULTS: The number of neural cells in the co-culture group increased and the cells spread on the culture bottle surface. Radial dendrite formed and connected with each other. NSE-immunoreactive cells were also detected. The positive ratio of NSE-positive cells reached (32.7±11.5)%, with morphological characteristics similar to neuronal cells. Human BMSCs did not express NSE in the control group. CONCLUSION: The microenvironment provided by neurons induced differentiation of BMSCs into neu-ronal-like cells. Key Words: bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; stem cell transplantation; cell differentiation; neurons     

成年大鼠骨髓基质干细胞诱导分化为神经元样细胞不同方法比较的研究

目的 研究成年大鼠骨髓基质干细胞(BMSCs)诱导分化为神经元样细胞不同的方法，寻找它向神经细胞分化的最佳条件。方法 取纯度较高的BMSCs，通过不同的神经营养因子诱导法和抗氧化剂诱导法，进行抗巢蛋白(nestin)、神经元特异烯醇化酶(NSE)、神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)、酪氨酸羟化酶(TH)免疫细胞化学染色，观察相应的阳性细胞数。结果 诱导第3天A组(EGF：表皮生长因子，bFGF：碱性成纤维细胞生长因子，RA：全反式维甲酸)，B组(GDNF：胶质细胞系源性神经营养因子，BDNF：脑源性神经营养因子)，C组(EGF，bFGF，GDNF，BDNF和RA)的Nestin阳性细胞数较多，其中以C组最多，而D组(抗氧化剂)Nestin阳性细胞数少于前三组。A，B，C组的NSE，GFAP染色阳性细胞数较D组少，但D组有部分细胞发生死亡。诱导第7天A，B，C组的NSE，GFAP阳性细胞数较第3天时明显增多，C组最多，B组其次，Nestin阳性细胞数比例较第3天时明显减少。而D组的NSE，GFAP阳性细胞数少于其第3天时；C组诱导成神经细胞比例较高，阴性对照组和空白对照组极少或无阳性细胞。此外，神经营养因子诱导法生成神经样细胞的比例都多于胶质样细胞。结论 抗氧化剂诱导法分化诱导快，而神经营养因子诱导法分化诱导效率高，诱导后细胞生长状态明显好于前者，各种神经营养因子联合作用影响BMSCs的增殖和分化。     

海马神经元条件培养液体外诱导大鼠骨髓间质干细胞向神经元样细胞和神经胶质样 细胞的分化：与含b-FGF培养基和无血清培养基的比较*☆

背景：目前关于骨髓间质干细胞能否向神经元方向分化的报道不多,且争论多集中在分化后的神经元是否仅具有神经元形态而不具有神经元功能。 目的：探讨海马神经元条件培养液诱导大鼠骨髓间质干细胞向神经元样细胞和神经胶质样细胞分化的可能性。 方法：将第5代大鼠骨髓间质干细胞分为4组：条件培养基组加入海马神经元和胶质细胞的培养液;b-FGF组加入含b-FGF的DMEM培养基;无血清培养组加入含Neurobasal和B27的无血清培养基;阴性对照组加入含胎牛血清的DMEM。各组诱导12,24 h后,应用免疫细胞化学染色行神经元特异性烯醇化酶、微管相关蛋白2、胶质纤维酸性蛋白的鉴定,Western-blot法检测细胞神经元特异性烯醇化酶、微管相关蛋白2和胶质纤维酸性蛋白的表达。 结果与结论：诱导12,24 h后,条件培养基组、b-FGF组、无血清培养组骨髓间质充干细胞微管相关蛋白2、胶质纤维酸性蛋白、神经元特异性烯醇化酶均呈阳性表达,阴性对照组未见表达。与阴性对照组比较,诱导后24 h,条件培养基组、b-FGF组、无血清培养组微管相关蛋白2表达均明显增强(P < 0.05),且条件培养基组增强幅度显著高于另两组(P < 0.05);条件培养基组、b-FGF组、无血清培养组神经元特异性烯醇化酶及胶质纤维酸性蛋白表达无明显差异。结果证实海马神经元条件培养液可体外诱导大鼠骨髓间质干细胞分化为神经元样细胞和神经胶质样细胞,与含b-FGF的培养基和无血清培养基相比,海马神经元条件培养基诱导的神经元和神经胶质细胞阳性率最高。     

Expression of Notch-1 receptor and its ligands Jagged-1 and Delta-1 in amoeboid microglia in postnatal rat brain and murine BV-2 cells

Notch-1 receptor signaling pathway is involved in neuronal and glial differentiation. Its involvement in microglial functions, however, has remained elusive. This study reports the localization of Notch-1 receptor immunoreactivity in the amoeboid microglial cells (AMC) in the postnatal rat brain. By immunofluorescence, Notch-1 receptor was colocalized with its ligands, Jagged-1 and Delta-1, in the AMC in the corpus callosum and subventricular zone. Notch-1 immunopositive cells were confirmed to be microglia labeled by OX42 and lectin. Immunoexpression of Notch-1 receptor was progressively reduced with age. Western blot analysis showed that Notch-1 protein level in the corpus callosum in which the AMC were heavily populated was concomitantly decreased. In postnatal rats challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Notch-1 receptor immunofluorescence in AMC was noticeably enhanced. Furthermore, Notch-1 protein level in the corpus callosum was increased as revealed by Western blotting analysis. In primary microglial culture treated with LPS, mRNA expression of Notch-1 and its ligand Jagged-1 was upregulated but that of Delta-1 was reduced. The expression pattern of Notch-1 and its ligands was confirmed in murine BV-2 cells. Furthermore, Notch-1 neutralization with its antibody reduced its protein expression. More importantly, neutralization of Notch-1 concomitantly suppressed the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1, M-CSF, and iNOS; TNF-alpha, mRNA expression, however, was enhanced. Western blot confirmed the changes of protein level of the above except for IL-6, which remained relatively unaltered. It is concluded that Notch-1 signaling in the AMC and LPS-activated microglia/BV-2 cells modulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide.     

人胚胎干细胞神经分化过程中VEGF作用机制的研究

目的观察血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)对人胚胎干细胞分化为神经元的促进作用是否与Notch信号通路有关。方法人胚胎干细胞经拟胚体向神经元分化,并分为3组:A组为常规诱导组;B组为常规诱导+VEGF(10ng/ml)作用组;C组为常规诱导+γ-分泌酶抑制剂预处理+VEGF(10ng/ml)作用组。用免疫荧光法检测及计算各组不同阶段细胞阳性率,半定量RT-PCR观察各组神经干细胞Hes1 mRNA表达,MTT法检测3组神经干细胞增殖速率。结果免疫荧光法检测显示,B组产生神经干细胞的阳性率明显高于A、C两组,差异有统计学意义(P0.01),A、C两组之间无显著性差异(P0.05);B、C两组进一步分化为神经元的阳性率均明显高于A组,差异有统计学意义(P0.01),B、C两组之间无显著性差异(P0.05);半定量RT-PCR观察显示B组神经干细胞Hes1 mRNA表达明显高于A、C两组;MTT法检测与半定量RT-PCR结果相似。结论人胚胎干细胞体外分化过程中血管内皮生长因子通过激活Notch信号通路,促进神经干细胞增殖,而VEGF在神经干细胞向神经元分化中的作用与Notch通路无关。     

Progenitor cell maintenance and neurogenesis in sympathetic ganglia involves Notch signaling

Differentiation of noradrenergic neurons from neural crest-derived precursors results in the formation of primary sympathetic ganglia. As sympathetic neurons continue to divide after the acquisition of adrenergic and neuronal properties it was unclear, whether the increase in neuron number during neurogenesis is due to neuron proliferation rather than differentiation of progenitor cells. Here, we demonstrate Sox10-positive neural crest progenitor cells and continuous sympathetic neuron generation from Phox2b-positive autonomic progenitors during early chick sympathetic ganglion development. In vivo activation of Notch signaling resulted in a decreased neuronal population, whereas expression of the Notch signaling inhibitor Su(H)(DBM) increased the proportion of Scg10-positive neurons. Similar results were obtained for sensory dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The effects of Notch gain- and loss-of-function experiments support the notion that progenitor maintenance and neuron differentiation from progenitor cells are essential for neurogenesis also during early sympathetic ganglion development.     

Notch1 signaling influences v2 interneuron and motor neuron development in the spinal cord

The Notch signaling pathway plays a variety of roles in cell fate decisions during development. Previous studies have shown that reduced Notch signaling results in premature differentiation of neural progenitor cells, while increased Notch activities promote apoptotic death of neural progenitor cells in the developing brain. Whether Notch signaling is involved in the specification of neuronal subtypes is unclear. Here we examine the role of Notch1 in the development of neuronal subtypes in the spinal cord using conditional knockout (cKO) mice lacking Notch1 specifically in neural progenitor cells. Notch1 inactivation results in accelerated neuronal differentiation in the ventral spinal cord and gradual disappearance of the ventral central canal. These changes are accompanied by reduced expression of Hes1 and Hes5 and increased expression of Mash1 and Neurogenin 1 and 2. Using markers (Nkx2.2, Nkx6.1, Olig2, Pax6 and Dbx1) for one or multiple progenitor cell types, we found reductions of all subtypes of progenitor cells in the ventral spinal cord of Notch1 cKO mice. Similarly, using markers (Islet1/2, Lim3, Sim1, Chox10, En1 and Evx1/2) specific for motor neurons and distinct classes of interneurons, we found increases in the number of V0-2 interneurons in the ventral spinal cord of Notch1 cKO mice. Specifically, the number of Lim3+/Chox10+ V2 interneurons is markedly increased while the number of Lim3+/Islet+motor neurons is decreased in the Notch1 cKO spinal cord, suggesting that V2 interneurons are generated at the expense of motor neurons in the absence of Notch1. These results provide support for a role of Notch1 in neuronal subtype specification in the ventral spinal cord.