Selective depletion of Mac-1-expressing microglia in rat subventricular zone does not alter neurogenic response early after stroke

Ischemic stroke induces migration of newly formed neuroblasts, generated by neural stem cells in the adult rat subventricular zone (SVZ), towards the injured striatum where they differentiate into mature neurons. Stroke also leads to accumulation of microglia in the SVZ but their role for neurogenesis is unclear. Here we developed a method for selective depletion of the macrophage antigen complex-1 (Mac-1)-expressing microglia population in the SVZ by intraventricular injection of the immunotoxin Mac-1-saporin in rats. We found that the vast majority of Mac-1+ cells were Iba-1+ microglia. The Mac-1+ population was heterogeneous and included both a small proliferative pool of cells, which was not affected by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), and a larger subpopulation that changed morphologically into a semi-activated state in response to the insult. This subpopulation did not increase its expression of the phagocytic marker ED1 but exhibited high levels of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM-2), associated with alternative microglia activation. A minor portion of the SVZ Mac-1+ cells originated from the blood early after stroke, but this macrophage population became much more substantial at later stages. Almost 80% reduction of Mac-1-expressing microglia, caused by Mac-1 saporin delivered just before and at 1 week after MCAO, did not alter the numbers of newly formed neuroblasts in the striatum or their migratory distance. These findings indicate that the Mac-1-expressing microglia in the SVZ do not play a major role either for the number of neuroblasts which exit the SVZ or their migration in the striatum early following stroke.     

Meteorin is a chemokinetic factor in neuroblast migration and promotes stroke-induced striatal neurogenesis

Ischemic stroke affecting the adult brain causes increased progenitor proliferation in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and generation of neuroblasts, which migrate into the damaged striatum and differentiate to mature neurons. Meteorin (METRN), a newly discovered neurotrophic factor, is highly expressed in neural progenitor cells and immature neurons during development, suggesting that it may be involved in neurogenesis. Here, we show that METRN promotes migration of neuroblasts from SVZ explants of postnatal rats and stroke-subjected adult rats via a chemokinetic mechanism, and reduces N-methyl-D-asparate-induced apoptotic cell death in SVZ cells in vitro. Stroke induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion upregulates the expression of endogenous METRN in cells with neuronal phenotype in striatum. Recombinant METRN infused into the stroke-damaged brain stimulates cell proliferation in SVZ, promotes neuroblast migration, and increases the number of immature and mature neurons in the ischemic striatum. Our findings identify METRN as a new factor promoting neurogenesis both in vitro and in vivo by multiple mechanisms. Further work will be needed to translate METRN's actions on endogenous neurogenesis into improved recovery after stroke.     

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 plays a critical role in neuroblast migration after focal cerebral ischemia.

Transient focal ischemia is known to induce proliferation of neural progenitors in adult rodent brain. We presently report that doublecortin positive neuroblasts formed in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the posterior peri-ventricle region migrate towards the cortical and striatal penumbra after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in adult rodents. Cultured neural progenitor cells grafted into the non-infarcted area of the ipsilateral cortex migrated preferentially towards the infarct. As chemokines are known to induce cell migration, we investigated if monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) has a role in post-ischemic neuroblast migration. Transient MCAO induced an increased expression of MCP-1 mRNA in the ipsilateral cortex and striatum. Immunostaining showed that the expression of MCP-1 was localized in the activated microglia and astrocytes present in the ischemic areas between days 1 and 3 of reperfusion. Furthermore, infusion of MCP-1 into the normal striatum induced neuroblast migration to the infusion site. The migrating neuroblasts expressed the MCP-1 receptor CCR2. In knockout mice that lacked either MCP-1 or its receptor CCR2, there was a significant decrease in the number of migrating neuroblasts from the ipsilateral SVZ to the ischemic striatum. These results show that MCP-1 is one of the factors that attract the migration of newly formed neuroblasts from neurogenic regions to the damaged regions of brain after focal ischemia.     

Neuronal precursors within the adult rat subventricular zone differentiate into dopaminergic neurons after substantia nigra lesion and chromaffin cell transplant

Neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain continues in the subventricular zone (SVZ). Neuronal precursors from the SVZ migrate along the rostral migratory stream to replace olfactory bulb interneurons. After the destruction of the nigro-striatal pathway (SN-lesion), some SVZ precursors begin to express tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and neuronal markers (NeuN). Grafting of chromaffin cells (CCs) into the denervated striatum increases the number of TH+ cells (SVZ TH+ cells; Arias-Carrión et al., 2004). This study examines the functional properties of these newly differentiating TH+ cells. Under whole-cell patch-clamp, most SVZ cells recorded from lesioned and grafted animals (either TH+ or TH-) were non-excitable. Nevertheless, a small percentage of SVZ TH+ cells had the electrophysiologic phenotype of mature dopaminergic neurons and showed spontaneous postsynaptic potentials. Dopamine (DA) release was measured in SVZ and striatum from both control and SN-lesioned rats. As expected, 12 weeks after SN lesion, DA release decreased drastically. Nevertheless, 8 weeks after CCs graft, release from the SVZ of SN-lesioned rats recovered, and even surpassed that from control SVZ, suggesting that newly formed SVZ TH+ cells release DA. This study shows for the first time that in response to SN-lesions and CC grafts neural precursors within the SVZ change their developmental program, by not only expressing TH, but more importantly by acquiring excitable properties of mature dopaminergic neurons. Additionally, the release of DA in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner and the attraction of synaptic afferents from neighboring neuronal networks gives further significance to the overall findings, whose potential importance is discussed.     

Migration and fate of newly born cells after focal cortical ischemia in adult rats

Neural cell migration and differentiation may participate in neural repair after adult brain injury; however, the survival and differentiation of newly born cells after different brain lesions are poorly understood. We have examined the migration and fate of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled cells after a highly reproducible focal ischemic lesion restricted to the frontoparietal cortex in adult rats. Thermocoagulation of pial blood vessels induces a circumscribed degeneration of all cortical layers while sparing the corpus callosum and striatum and increases cell proliferation in the subventricular zone (SVZ) and rostral migratory stream (RMS) within 7 days. We now show that, although the rostral migration of the newly born SVZ cells and their differentiation into neurons in the olfactory bulb were not affected by the lesion, numerous cells expressing the neuroblast marker doublecortin migrated laterally in the striatum and corpus callosum 5 days postinjury. In addition to the SVZ, BrdU-labeled cells were seen in the striatum, in the corpus callosum, and around the lesion. One month later, BrdU-labeled cells in the corpus callosum expressed transferrin and the pi isoform of glutathione-S-transferase (GST-pi), markers of oligodendrocytes. Other BrdU+ cells expressed a marker of astrocytes, but none expressed neuronal markers, suggesting that new neurons do not form or survive under these conditions. Numerous BrdU-labeled cells were still observed in the SVZ and RMS. The data show that focal cortical ischemia does not lead to the long-term survival of new neurons in the striatum or cortex but induces long-term alterations in the SVZ and the production of new oligodendrocytes that may contribute to neural repair.     

Absence of striatal newborn neurons with mature phenotype following defined striatal and cortical excitotoxic brain injuries

Experimental stroke and excitotoxic brain lesion to the striatum increase the proliferation of cells residing within the ventricular wall and cause subsequent migration of newborn neuroblasts into the lesioned brain parenchyma. In this study, we clarify the different events of neurogenesis following striatal or cortical excitotoxic brain lesions in adult rats. Newborn cells were labeled by intraperitoneal injection of bromo–deoxy–uridine (BrdU), or by green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing lentiviral vectors injected into the subventricular zone (SVZ). We show that only neural progenitors born the first 5 days in the SVZ reside and expand within this neurogenic niche over time, and that these early labeled cells are more prone to migrate towards the striatum as neuroblasts. However, these neuroblasts could not mature into NeuN⁺ neurons in the striatum. Furthermore, we found that cortical lesions, close or distant from the SVZ, could not upregulate SVZ cell proliferation nor promote neurogenesis. Our study demonstrates that both the time window for labeling proliferating cells and the site of lesion are crucial when assessing neurogenesis following brain injury.     

Perinatal hypoxic/ischemic brain injury induces persistent production of striatal neurons from subventricular zone progenitors

Ischemia-induced production of new striatal neurons in young and adult rodents has been studied. However, it is unclear whether neonatal hypoxic/ischemic (H/I) brain injury-induced neuronogenesis in the striatum is transient or sustained, nor has it been established whether these new neurons arise from progenitors within the striatum or from precursors residing in the adjacent subventricular zone. Here, we report that from 2 weeks to 5 months after H/I there are more doublecortin-positive (Dcx+) cells and Dcx+/NeuN+ cells in the damaged striatum compared to the contralateral striatum. After the S-phase marker 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected at both short and long intervals (2 days and 2 months) after H/I to label newly born cells, more BrdU+/Dcx+ and BrdU+/NeuN+ cells were observed in the ipsilateral striatum compared to the contralateral striatum. Retroviral fate-mapping studies demonstrated that these newly born striatal neurons are generated from precursors within the subventricular zone. Altogether, these observations indicate the neonatal brain initiates a prolonged regenerative response from the precursors of the subventricular zone (SVZ) that results in persistent production of new striatal neurons.     

Rat forebrain neurogenesis and striatal neuron replacement after focal stroke

The persistence of neurogenesis in the forebrain subventricular zone (SVZ) of adult mammals suggests that the mature brain maintains the potential for neuronal replacement after injury. We examined whether focal ischemic injury in adult rat would increase SVZ neurogenesis and direct migration and neuronal differentiation of endogenous precursors in damaged regions. Focal stroke was induced in adult rats by 90-minute right middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Cell proliferation and neurogenesis were assessed with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling and immunostaining for cell type-specific markers. Brains examined 10-21 days after stroke showed markedly increased SVZ neurogenesis and chains of neuroblasts extending from the SVZ to the peri-infarct striatum. Many BrdU-labeled cells persisted in the striatum and cortex adjacent to infarcts, but at 35 days after tMCAO only BrdU-labeled cells in the neostriatum expressed neuronal markers. Newly generated cells in the injured neostriatum expressed markers of medium spiny neurons, which characterize most neostriatal neurons lost after tMCAO. These findings indicate that focal ischemic injury increases SVZ neurogenesis and directs neuroblast migration to sites of damage. Moreover, neuroblasts in the injured neostriatum appear to differentiate into a region-appropriate phenotype, which suggests that the mature brain is capable of replacing some neurons lost after ischemic injury.     

Distribution of doublecortin expressing cells near the lateral ventricles in the adult mouse brain

Doublecortin (Dcx) is a microtubule-associated protein expressed by migrating neuroblasts in the embryo and in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ). The adult SVZ contains neuroblasts that migrate in the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulbs. We have examined the distribution and phenotype of Dcx-positive cells in the adult mouse SVZ and surrounding regions. Chains of Dcx-positive cells in the SVZ were distributed in a tight dorsal population contiguous with the RMS, with a separate ventral population comprised of discontinuous chains. Unexpectedly, Dcx-positive cells were also found outside of the SVZ: dorsally in the corpus callosum, and ventrally in the nucleus accumbens, ventromedial striatum, ventrolateral septum, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Dcx-positive cells outside the SVZ had the morphology of migrating cells, occurred as individual cells or in chain-like clusters, and were more numerous anteriorly. Of the Dcx-positive cells found outside of the SVZ, 47% expressed the immature neuronal protein class III beta-tubulin, 8% expressed NeuN, a marker of mature neurons. Dcx-positive cells did not express molecules found in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, or microglia. Structural and immunoelectron microscopy revealed that cells with the ultrastructural features of neuroblasts in the SVZ were Dcx+, and that clusters of neuroblasts emanated ventrally from the SVZ into the parenchyma. Our results suggest that the distribution of cells comprising the walls of the lateral ventricle are more heterogeneous than was thought previously, that SVZ cells may migrate dorsally and ventrally away from the SVZ, and that some emigrated cells express a neuronal phenotype.     

Evidence of newly generated neurons in the human olfactory bulb

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is known to be the major source of neural stem cells in the adult brain. In rodents and nonhuman primates, many neuroblasts generated in the SVZ migrate in chains along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to populate the olfactory bulb (OB) with new granular and periglomerular interneurons. In order to know if such a phenomenon exists in the adult human brain, we applied single and double immunostaining procedures to olfactory bulbs obtained following brain necropsy in normal adult human subjects. Double immunofluorescence labelling with a confocal microscope served to visualize cells that express markers of proliferation and immature neuronal state as well as markers that are specific to olfactory interneurons. Newborn cells that express cell cycle proteins [Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)] were detected in the granular and glomerular layers (GLs) of the human olfactory bulb; these cells coexpressed markers of immature neuronal state, such as Doublecortin (DCX), NeuroD and Nestin. Numerous differentiating cells expressed molecular markers of early committed neurons [beta-tubulin class III (TuJ1)] and were also immunoreactive for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), a marker of GABAergic neurons, or tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a marker of dopaminergic neurons. Other early committed neurons expressed the calcium-binding proteins calretinin (CR) or parvalbumin (PV). These results provide strong evidence for the existence of adult neurogenesis in the human olfactory system. Despite its relatively small size compared to that in rodents and nonhuman primates, the olfactory bulb in humans appears to be populated, throughout life, by new granular and periglomerular neurons that express a wide variety of chemical phenotypes.     

Activated neural stem cells contribute to stroke-induced neurogenesis and neuroblast migration toward the infarct boundary in adult rats.

Stroke increases neurogenesis. The authors investigated whether neural stem cells or progenitor cells in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) of rats contribute to stroke-induced increase in neurogenesis. After induction of stroke in rats, the numbers of cells immunoreactive to doublecortin, a marker for immature neurons, increased in the ipsilateral SVZ and striatum. Infusion of an antimitotic agent (cytosine-beta-D-arabiofuranoside, Ara-C) onto the ipsilateral cortex eliminated more than 98% of actively proliferating cells in the SVZ and doublecortin-positive cells in the ipsilateral striatum. However, doublecortin-positive cells rapidly replenished after antimitotic agent depletion of actively proliferating cells. Depleting the numbers of actively proliferating cells in vivo had no effect on the numbers of neurospheres formed in vitro, yet the numbers of neurospheres derived from stroke rats significantly (P<0.05) increased. Neurospheres derived from stroke rats self-renewed and differentiated into neurons and glia. In addition, doublecortin-positive cells generated in the SVZ migrated in a chainlike structure toward ischemic striatum. These findings indicate that in the adult stroke brain, increases in recruitment of neural stem cells contribute to stroke-induced neurogenesis, and that newly generated neurons migrate from the SVZ to the ischemic striatum.     

Quantitative analysis of the generation of different striatal neuronal subtypes in the adult brain following excitotoxic injury

Recent findings in adult rodents have provided evidence for the formation of new striatal neurons from subventricular zone (SVZ) precursors following stroke. Little is known about which factors determine the magnitude of striatal neurogenesis in the damaged brain. Here we studied striatal neurogenesis following an excitotoxic lesion to the adult rat striatum induced by intrastriatal quinolinic acid (QA) infusion. New cells were labeled with the thymidine-analogue 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and their identity was determined immunocytochemically with various phenotypic markers. The unilateral lesion gave rise to increased cell proliferation mainly in the ipsilateral SVZ. At 2 weeks following the insult, there was a pronounced increase of the number of new neurons co-expressing BrdU and a marker of migrating neuroblasts, doublecortin, in the ipsilateral striatum, particularly its non-damaged medial parts. About 80% of the new neurons survived up to 6 weeks, when they expressed the mature neuronal marker NeuN and were preferentially located in the outer parts of the damaged area. Lesion-generated neurons expressed phenotypic markers of striatal medium spiny neurons (DARPP-32) and interneurons (parvalbumin or neuropeptide Y). The magnitude of neurogenesis correlated to the size of the striatal damage. Our data show for the first time that an excitotoxic lesion to the striatum can trigger the formation of new striatal neurons with phenotypes of both projection neurons and interneurons.     

Lineage analysis of quiescent regenerative stem cells in the adult brain by genetic labelling reveals spatially restricted neurogenic niches in the olfactory bulb

The subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles is the major neurogenic region in the adult mammalian brain, harbouring neural stem cells within defined niches. The identity of these stem cells and the factors regulating their fate are poorly understood. We have genetically mapped a population of Nestin-expressing cells during postnatal development to study their potential and fate in vivo . Taking advantage of the recombination characteristics of a nestin::CreER ^T2 allele, we followed a subpopulation of neural stem cells and traced their fate in a largely unrecombined neurogenic niche. Perinatal nestin::CreER ^T2 -expressing cells give rise to multiple glial cell types and neurons, as well as to stem cells of the adult SVZ. In the adult SVZ nestin::CreER ^T2 -expressing neural stem cells give rise to several neuronal subtypes in the olfactory bulb (OB). We addressed whether the same population of neural stem cells play a role in SVZ regeneration. Following anti-mitotic treatment to eliminate rapidly dividing progenitors, relatively quiescent nestin::CreER ^T2 -targeted cells are spared and contribute to SVZ regeneration, generating new proliferating precursors and neuroblasts. Finally, we have identified neurogenic progenitors clustered in ependymal-like niches within the rostral migratory stream (RMS) of the OB. These OB-RMS progenitors generate neuroblasts that, upon transplantation, graft, migrate and differentiate into granule and glomerular neurons. In summary, using conditional lineage tracing we have identified neonatal cells that are the source of neurogenic and regenerative neural stem cells in the adult SVZ and occupy a novel neurogenic niche in the OB.     

Telomerase activity in the subventricular zone of adult mice

The subventricular zone (SVZ) is the most active site for the production of new neurons in the adult mouse brain. Neural stem cells in the adult SVZ give rise to neuroblasts that travel via the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulb, where they differentiate into interneurons. The enzyme telomerase has been identified in other population of stem cells and is necessary for the synthesis of telomeric DNA to prevent chromosomal shortening, end-to-end fusions, and apoptosis during successive rounds of cell division. However, previous studies have failed to detect telomerase in the adult mammalian brain. Here we demonstrate that telomerase is expressed by all brain regions shortly after birth, but becomes restricted to the SVZ and olfactory bulb in the adult mouse brain. Cultures of neural precursor cells or of migratory neuroblasts purified from the SVZ were each found to possess telomerase activity. After elimination of migrating neuroblasts and immature precursor cells in vivo by treatment with cytosine-beta-D-arabinofuranoside (Ara-C), telomerase activity was still detectable in the remaining SVZ, which includes a population of neural stem cells. Following withdrawal of Ara-C, telomerase activity subsequently increased with a time course that parallels regeneration of the SVZ network and RMS. Finally, intracranial surgery alone, which has previously been shown to increase the number of cells in the SVZ, produced higher telomerase levels in the SVZ. We conclude that telomerase is active in neural precursor cells of the adult mouse and suggest that its regulation is an important parameter for cellular proliferation to occur in the mammalian brain.     

Forebrain neurogenesis after focal Ischemic and traumatic brain injury

Neural stem cells persist in the adult mammalian forebrain and are a potential source of neurons for repair after brain injury. The two main areas of persistent neurogenesis, the subventricular zone (SVZ)-olfactory bulb pathway and hippocampal dentate gyrus, are stimulated by brain insults such as stroke or trauma. Here we focus on the effects of focal cerebral ischemia on SVZ neural progenitor cells in experimental stroke, and the influence of mechanical injury on adult hippocampal neurogenesis in models of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Stroke potently stimulates forebrain SVZ cell proliferation and neurogenesis. SVZ neuroblasts are induced to migrate to the injured striatum, and to a lesser extent to the peri-infarct cortex. Controversy exists as to the types of neurons that are generated in the injured striatum, and whether adult-born neurons contribute to functional restoration remains uncertain. Advances in understanding the regulation of SVZ neurogenesis in general, and stroke-induced neurogenesis in particular, may lead to improved integration and survival of adult-born neurons at sites of injury. Dentate gyrus cell proliferation and neurogenesis similarly increase after experimental TBI. However, pre-existing neuroblasts in the dentate gyrus are vulnerable to traumatic insults, which appear to stimulate neural stem cells in the SGZ to proliferate and replace them, leading to increased numbers of new granule cells. Interventions that stimulate hippocampal neurogenesis appear to improve cognitive recovery after experimental TBI. Transgenic methods to conditionally label or ablate neural stem cells are beginning to further address critical questions regarding underlying mechanisms and functional significance of neurogenesis after stroke or TBI. Future therapies should be aimed at directing appropriate neuronal replacement after ischemic or traumatic injury while suppressing aberrant integration that may contribute to co-morbidities such as epilepsy or cognitive impairment.     

In vivo gene delivery to proliferating cells in the striatum generated in response to a 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the nigro-striatal dopamine pathway

The degeneration of neurons in the mammalian brain is commonly associated with the division of cells located in the damaged area. The aim of the present study has been to characterise the phenotype of newly born cells in the striatum of adult rats following 6-hydroxydopamine lesion of the nigro-striatal pathway. Newborn cells were identified through labelling with either bromodeoxyuridine or retrovirus encoding green fluorescence protein. We report here that the overwhelming majority of these cells have glial characteristics. In order to promote the generation of new neurons we retrovirally introduced either the noggin or neurogenin2 genes into newborn cells following the 6-hydroxydopamine lesion. Transduction with neurogenin2 resulted in the production of cells resembling neuroblasts, however these cells did not appear to survive. Noggin transduction did not result in the generation of new neurons, but interestingly, greatly increased the number of oligodendrocytes generated from newborn cells.     

Characterization of the Netrin/RGMa receptor neogenin in neurogenic regions of the mouse and human adult forebrain

In the adult rodent forebrain, astrocyte‐like neural stem cells reside within the subventricular zone (SVZ) and give rise to progenitors and neuroblasts, which then undergo chain migration along the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulb, where they mature into fully functional interneurons. Neurogenesis also occurs in the adult human SVZ, where neural precursors similar to the rodent astrocyte‐like stem cell and neuroblast have been identified. A migratory pathway equivalent to the rodent RMS has also recently been described for the human forebrain. In the embryo, the guidance receptor neogenin and its ligands netrin‐1 and RGMa regulate important neurogenic processes, including differentiation and migration. We show in this study that neogenin is expressed on neural stem cells (B cells), progenitor cells (C cells), and neuroblasts (A cells) in the adult mouse SVZ and RMS. We also show that netrin‐1 and RGMa are ideally placed within the neurogenic niche to activate neogenin function. Moreover, we find that neogenin and RGMa are also present in the neurogenic regions of the human adult forebrain. We show that neogenin is localized to cells displaying stem cell (B cell)‐like characteristics within the adult human SVZ and RMS and that RGMa is expressed by the same or a closely apposed cell population. This study supports the hypothesis that, as in the embryo, neogenin regulates fundamental signalling pathways important for neurogenesis in the adult mouse and human forebrain. J. Comp. Neurol. 518:3237–3253, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Adult-derived neural precursors transplanted into multiple regions in the adult brain

Neural stem cells persist in the adult brain subventricular zone (SVZ). These cells generate a large number of new neurons that migrate to the olfactory bulb, where they complete their differentiation. Here, we transplanted cells carrying beta-galactosidase under the control of neuron-specific enolase promoter (NSE::LacZ) from the SVZ of adult mice into the striatum cortex and olfactory bulb, with or without an excitotoxin lesion. Between 2 and 8 weeks after transplantation, grafted cells were present in the recipient regions, but extensive migration and differentiation into mature neurons of grafted cells were only observed in the olfactory bulb. Clusters of graft-derived neuroblasts forming chain-like structures were observed within or close to the grated sites in the cortex and striatum; electron microscopy confirmed that graft-derived cells in the olfactory bulb and a small number in the striatum were neurons. Surprisingly, most of the cells expressing NSE::LacZ outside the olfactory bulb were astrocytes. We conclude that primary precursors from the SVZ migrate and differentiate effectively only within the environment of the olfactory bulb. Only limited survival and differentiation were observed in other brain regions studied.