Meninges harbor cells expressing neural precursor markers during development and adulthood

Abstract

Brain and skull developments are tightly synchronized, allowing the cranial bones to dynamically adapt to the brain shape. At the brain-skull interface, meninges produce the trophic signals necessary for normal corticogenesis and bone development. Meninges harbor different cell populations, including cells forming the endosteum of the cranial vault. Recently, we and other groups have described the presence in meninges of a cell population endowed with neural differentiation potential in vitro and, after transplantation, in vivo. However, whether meninges may be a niche for neural progenitor cells during embryonic development and in adulthood remains to be determined. In this work we provide the first description of the distribution of neural precursor markers in rat meninges during development up to adulthood. We conclude that meninges share common properties with the classical neural stem cell niche, as they: (i) are a highly proliferating tissue; (ii) host cells expressing neural precursor markers such as nestin, vimentin, Sox2 and doublecortin; and (iii) are enriched in extracellular matrix components (e.g., fractones) known to bind and concentrate growth factors. This study underlines the importance of meninges as a potential niche for endogenous precursor cells during development and in adulthood.

DNA methylation-based classification and grading system for meningioma: a multicentre, retrospective analysis

“…During development, their precursor cells merge from mesodermal structures and the neural crest, actively contributing to the differentiation of the brain [1][2][3] . However, meningeal cells may transform to initiate tumors, which represent .…”

The development and origins of vertebrate meninges

“…We have now moved well beyond thinking of them as only protecting the brain and spinal cord from impact damage. Recent work has shown that they are involved in the development of the CNS and contain neural stem cells that are active in all stages of higher vertebrate life (Bifari et al, 2015;Bifari et al, 2016;Borrell & Marin, 2006). It is therefore surprising that we know so little about their development and origin.…”

“…This could be achieved by exploiting the findings of elegant studies performed in the brain which showed that cells positive to Nestin are a convenient way to identify neural progenitors. If these cells are present in the spinal meninges then their fate can be again followed by single cell RNAseq analysis (Bifari et al, 2015;Bifari et al, 2016).…”

“…Remarkably recent work has even demonstrated that meninges are a niche for neural precursor cells (Bifari et al, 2015;Petricevic et al, 2011).…”

Transient vimentin expression during the embryonic development of the chicken cerebellum

“…Interestingly, strong vimentin expression characterized chicken meninges attached to the cerebellar cortex. Studies in mammals showed that meninges form a wide‐spread niche from where neurogenesis may be induced following physiological stimuli (Bifari et al, 2015) and the involvement of the meninges, particularly the pia mater, has been suggested in the development of the perturbed foliation pattern, possibly via basal lamina stabilization or destabilization (Necchi and Scherini, 2002). Further studies are necessary to clarify the possible role of vimentin in such mechanisms.…”