Contributions of Single-Cell Approaches for Probing Heterogeneity and Dynamics of Neural Progenitors Throughout Life: Concise Review

Abstract

Development of the forebrain occurs in a stepwise manner from a pool of neural progenitors (NPs), which differs over space and time to produce distinct progenies. The sequence of events leading to the generation of the exquisite complexity of cell types that compose this tissue has been described in great detail at the population level. Recent advances in histology and transcriptomics have allowed probing spatial and temporal heterogeneity and dynamics of NPs at the single-cell level. Clonal fate mapping studies highlight a deterministic behavior as well as the existence of trajectories in the lineage progression of prenatal and postnatal NPs, whereas single-cell transcriptomic studies shed new light on the transcriptional signatures of these processes. Here, we review this recent work and integrate it to our current understanding of forebrain germinal activity at prenatal and postnatal time points. STEM CELLS 2019;37:1381-1388 SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTClonal analysis in histology and single-cell transcriptomics studies have recently shed new light on the understanding of forebrain germinal activity at prenatal and postnatal time points. This article discusses recent contributions of these approaches in probing lineage progression and competence of neural progenitors.

Gliogenic Potential of Single Pallial Radial Glial Cells in Lower Cortical Layers

“…We described mixed clones composed of two different glial cell types. Uniform and mixed glial clones confirmed the existence of monopotent and bipotent pallial RGC progenitors in the VZ at E14 [1,16,[60][61][62][63]. Histological analyses, cell transplantations, and in vitro studies have claimed progressive competence restriction of progenitors, being multipotent at earlier stages and reducing their cell potential with development [21,22].…”

Neural stem cell pools in the vertebrate adult brain: Homeostasis from cell‐autonomous decisions or community rules?

“…The heterogeneous nature of adult NSCs, at the ontogenetic, morphological, physiological, cellular and transcriptional levels, is increasingly appreciated (recently reviewed in). [ 30–33 ] Among these, genetic lineage tracing has captured molecular heterogeneities, which could notably reflect commitment differences, sub‐lineages, or dynamic transient states “frozen” at the time of Cre induction. These will now need to be integrated into a global dynamic model of NSC pool evolution.…”

Cell Progeny in the Olfactory Bulb after Targeting Specific Progenitors with Different UbC-StarTrack Approaches

“…Single cell analysis provides new insight into the development of the forebrain and the changes it undergoes in the adult. Clonal and transcriptomic analyses make it possible to explore the huge heterogeneity of neural cells [24,32,43,44]. Indeed, the heterogeneity of cortical progenitor cells was recently reported, showing the cell lineage of cortical pyramidal cells restricted to either the deep or superficial layers [39], suggesting that the heterogeneity of neocortical progenitor cells is greater than that previously thought [45][46][47].…”