Singular Adult Neural Stem Cells Do Not Exist

Abstract

Adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) are the source for the continuous production of new neurons throughout life. This so-called adult neurogenesis has been extensively studied; the intermediate cellular stages are well documented. Recent discoveries have raised new controversies in the field, such as the notion that progenitor cells hold similar self-renewal potential as stem cells, or whether different types of aNSCs exist. Here, we discuss evidence for heterogeneity of aNSCs, including short-term and long-term self-renewing aNSCs, regional and temporal differences in aNSC function, and single cell transcriptomics. Reviewing various genetic mouse models used for targeting aNSCs and lineage tracing, we consider potential lineage relationships between Ascl1-, Gli1-, and Nestin-targeted aNSCs. We present a multidimensional model of adult neurogenesis that incorporates recent findings and conclude that stemness is a phenotype, a state of properties that can change with time, rather than a cell property, which is static and immutable. We argue that singular aNSCs do not exist.

An analogue of the Prolactin Releasing Peptide reduces obesity and promotes adult neurogenesis

“…The copyright holder for this preprint this version posted March 1, 2023. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02. 28.528936 doi: bioRxiv preprint 4 months (4mo; Fig. 1C).…”

“…The copyright holder for this preprint this version posted March 1, 2023. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02. 28.528936 doi: bioRxiv preprint anti-obesity compounds. Lipidized analogues of PrRP are a novel class of compounds with robust anorexigenic and anti-obesity effects.…”

“…The copyright holder for this preprint this version posted March 1, 2023. ; https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02. 28.528936 doi: bioRxiv preprint DIO caused by the HFD has been shown to reduce hAN through lower survival and higher apoptosis of newborn neurons or by decreased proliferation of tanycytes. 34,35,42 On the other hand, ablation of hAN leads to higher weight gains in HFD-fed animals 30,31 , whereas increasing hAN protects against adverse effects of HFD 30 suggesting that newborn neurons are anorexigenic.…”

“…While many of the appetite-controlling neurons in the MBH originate in embryogenesis, some of them are newly generated during adulthood from adult Neural Stem Cells (aNSCs), which reside in the Hypothalamic Ventricular Zone (HVZ) in the process of hypothalamic adult neurogenesis (hAN). 28,29 Both hypothalamic aNSCs and newborn MBH neurons are critical for energy homeostasis. 30,31…”

Heterogeneity of glioblastoma stem cells in the context of the immune microenvironment and geospatial organization

“…The diversity of GSC populations can be explained by their spatial and cellular origin, which can include stem cells, progenitor cells, and differentiated cells ( 6 , 28 ). Interestingly, heterogeneity has also been noted in adult neural stem cells (aNSCs), with a spectrum depending on the developmental stages and spatial location of these cells, impacting their self-renewing capabilities and multipotency ( 29 , 30 ). Drawing from the idea that GSCs may arise from aNSCs, this concept can be extrapolated to explain that they share these heterogeneous features as well.…”