Function of newly identified basal lamina structure fractone and regulation of neural stem cell differentiation at subventricular zone

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We analyzed molecular components of the new basement membrane-like structure of capillaries in the brain, fractone. We also tried identification and separation of adult neural stem cells existing subventricular zone, and investigated mechanisms of stem cell differentiation.[1]Molecular and cellular analysis of the new basement membrane like structure fractone.We detected the basement mambrane molecules such as laminin and type IV collagen in the mouse fractone by immunohistochemistry. Especially, several laminin chains and type IV collagen chains were present in the fractone, but fibronectin was not expressed there. Moreover, the fractone was distributed around almost all of subventricular zone in the brain and spinal code but it was not present in some areas of the third and forth ventricle. Developmental studies showed that the fractone started its expression around subventricular zone at postnatal day seven, and then expression pattern was limited to lateral part of ventricle at postnatal day 14. Furthermore, we recognized the fractone structure more precisely using immunoelectron-microscopic analysis.[2]Identification and separation of neural stem cells from subventricular zoneWe tried to separate neural stem cells from adult mouse subventricular zones and allowed them to further differentiate into neurons and astrocytes in various conditions. To set-up differentiation conditions, we prepared substrates rich in matrix macromolecules.[3]Control of stem cell differentiation by extracellular matrixWe successfully culture neurospheres prepared from subventricular zone of the lateral ventricles and set-up conditions to further differentiate into neurons and astrocytes.