| Abstract No.: | C-A3011 |
| Country: | Canada |
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| Title: | CELLULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF PROLIFERATING NEURAL PRECURSORS IN THE ADULT MAMMALIAN BRAIN |
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| Authors/Affiliations: | 1 Meriem Bouab; 1 Anne Aumont; 1 Karl Fernandes*;
1 Université de Montréal, QC, Canada
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| Content: | The walls of the forebrain lateral ventricles contain the principal population of proliferating neural precursors within the adult brain. These proliferating neural precursors are a heterogeneous mixture of multiple sub-types of neural stem and progenitor cells, whose identities, inter-relationships and hierarchy have emerged as a point of considerable debate. A clearer understanding of these issues may enable us to more efficiently regulate how the proliferating neural precursor population responds to injury and disease. OBJECTIVES: To (i) define sub-types of proliferating neural precursors using a panel of putative stem and progenitor markers, and (ii) characterize their regulation by particular neural growth factor families. METHODS AND RESULTS: In order to define sub-types of proliferating stem and progenitors, we are using multi-label immunofluorescence to investigate the expression patterns of a variety of markers against cell type-specific cytoskeletal proteins, cell surface antigens, growth factor receptors, and transcription factors. Expression of these markers is being correlated with cellular morphologies using high resolution light microscopy. To explore the effects of particular growth factors on specific stem and progenitor populations, we are using in vitro stem cells assays that will ultimately be extended in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: It is hoped these experiments will lead to greater understanding of, and improved strategies for directing, neural precursor responses to CNS pathologies. Supported by funds from the CIHR, CFI, Scottish Rite Charitable Foundation of Canada, and the Université de Montréal. |
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