Open AccessConcise Review: Quiescent and Active States of Endogenous Adult Neural Stem Cells: Identification and Characterization
Author(s) -
Wang YaZhou,
Plane Jennifer M.,
Jiang Peng,
Zhou Chengji J.,
Deng Wenbin
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1002/stem.644
Subject(s) - biology , neural stem cell , regeneration (biology) , neuroscience , progenitor cell , stem cell , identification (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , ecology
Abstract The adult mammalian central nervous system (CNS) lacks the capacity for regeneration, making it a highly sought‐after topic for researchers. The identification of neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult CNS wiped out a long‐held dogma that the adult brain contains a set number of neurons and is incapable of replacing them. The discovery of adult NSCs (aNSCs) stoked the fire for researchers who dream of brain self‐repair. Unfortunately, the quiescent nature and limited plasticity of aNSCs diminish their regenerative potential. Recent studies evaluating aNSC plasticity under pathological conditions indicate that a switch from quiescent to active aNSCs in neurogenic regions plays an important role in both repairing the damaged tissue and preserving progenitor pools. Here, we summarize the most recent findings and present questions about characterizing the active and quiescent aNSCs in major neurogenic regions, and factors for maintaining their active and quiescent states, hoping to outline an emerging view for promoting the endogenous aNSC‐based regeneration. STEM CELLS 2011;29:907–912