Neural stem cell self-renewal and differentiation is orchestrated by precise control of gene expression involving nuclear receptor TLX. Let-7b, a member of the let-7 microRNA family, is expressed in mammalian brains and exhibits increased expression during neural differentiation. However, the role of let-7b in neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation remains unknown. Here we show that...

To determine the effects of gonadal hormones on proliferation of the hippocampal neural cells, which are of importance in learning and memory function. 17β-Estradiol or testosterone was added to the culture at various concentrations. Their proliferation and protective effects on the neural cell were determined with BrdU, flow cytometry and MTT assay. Effects of the gonadal hormones on brain-der...

Identification and use of cell surface cluster of differentiation (CD) biomarkers have enabled much scientific and clinical progress. We identify a CD surface antigen code for the neural lineage based on combinatorial flow cytometric analysis of three distinct populations derived from human embryonic stem cells: (1) CD15(+)/CD29(HI)/CD24(LO) surface antigen expression defined neural stem cells;...

Gestational exposure to ethanol causes defects in neuronal migration, fasciculation, and synaptogenesis, developmental events that depend on the patterned expression and function of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). Recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 (hOP-1) increases cell-cell adhesion and promotes cell clustering in proliferating neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells by strongly indu...

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs), found in both the developing and the adult mamma‐ lian central nervous system (CNS), are a heterogeneous population of multipotent cells with the potential to self-renew by symmetric cell division or to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes through asymmetric cell division (Gage, 2000; Alvarez-Buylla et al., 2001; Temple, 2001; Götz a...