Abstract:

Objective To study how the vascular and stem-cellular niche affect the neural proliferation, differentiation and migration in the mouse spinal cord and to investigate the interaction among neurons, neuroglia and vasculature in the developing spinal cord. Methods A total of 150 mice from E17 to P180 were used in this project. BrdU assay, Nissl’s staining and immunofluorescent labeling (NeuN and GFAP) methods were applied. Blood vessels and neural stem cells were measured with stereological methods. Results BrdU positive neural stem cells appeared evenly in the embryonic spinal cord at as early as E14, and the newborn neurons migrated from the subventicular zone of the neural tube to the intermediate layer around it. With age increasing, the neural stem cells differentiated into neurons gradually, and the neurons mainly concentrated in the putative gray matter as a “H” shape. According to the statistical analysis, the BrdU positive stem cells developed as parabolic curve with the peak at P3. The neuroglial cells migrated from the “periphery” area of spinal cord (marginal layer, the putative white matter) into the “center” (gray matter). Blood vessels were uniform distribution at the early age, and later concentrated in the gray matter gradually. The vasculature, stem cells, neurons and neuroglia formed a so called vascular and stem-cellular niche. The vascular stem-cellular niches were mainly located in the subventricular zone and gray matter. Vasculature, stem cells, neuron and neuroglia were woven together tightly. Conclusion The vascular and stem-cellular niche formed closely with the development of the spinal cord, which provides a suitable microenvironment for the development of the spinal cord and the differentiation of neurons and neuroglia.