Functional activity of mitochondria in cultured neural precursor cells

Abstract

We studied mitochondrial transmembrane potential of neural precursor cells forming neurospheres in culture. Uneven energization of mitochondria in neurosphere cells was detected. Heterogeneity of cells by the mitochondrial potential increased with neurosphere enlargement during culturing. Decrease in the mitochondrial potential in the central cells in large spheres, presumably caused by insufficient diffusion of oxygen and nutrients, can provoke their damage and death. Population of cells with high mitochondrial potential responded to addition of the nuclear dye by a decrease in mitochondrial potential, which can indicate functioning of ABCG2 complex in these cells, characteristic of undifferentiated stem cells. These data will help to create optimum conditions for culturing of neural stem cells for the maintenance of their maximum functional and proliferative activity.

Mitochondria as therapeutic targets for cancer stem cells

“…Enhanced intracellular ROS as the differentiation stimulus may act on transplanted SCs into the cardiovascular lineage [58] , indicating that mitochondrial redox metabolism act as a crucial regulator in cardiac differentiation of SCs. Furthermore, Plotnikov et al [59] suggest a correlation of the mitochondrial function and the status of neural SCs.…”

Mitochondria in stem cells

“…Two other reports suggest that the rate of oxidative phosphorylation is higher in undifferentiated adult stem cells compared to their differentiated counterparts. Neuronal stem cells isolated from 9-to 10-week-old human fetuses form neurospheres in culture (Plotnikov et al, 2006). Stem cells in younger, smaller neurospheres had more high-potential mitochondria, as judged by JC-1 staining, compared to older, larger neurospheres (Plotnikov et al, 2006).…”

“…Neuronal stem cells isolated from 9-to 10-week-old human fetuses form neurospheres in culture (Plotnikov et al, 2006). Stem cells in younger, smaller neurospheres had more high-potential mitochondria, as judged by JC-1 staining, compared to older, larger neurospheres (Plotnikov et al, 2006). The reduction in JC-1 staining in the mature cells might be the result of lower oxygen levels in the center of the neurosphere.…”

The Role of Mitochondria in Stem Cell Biology

“…From a methodological point of view, the functional activity of mitochondria in cultured neural precursor cells can serve as a criterion of optimum conditions for culturing and isolation of a population of NSC with high proliferative activity and differentiation potential; since high energy potential of some cells in neurospheres has been associated with the expression of nestin, an early marker of stem cells, it suggested a relationship between mitochondrial function and the status of NSC (Plotnikov et al 2006).…”