Abstract
The adult mouse subependymal zone provides a niche for mammalian neural stem cells (NSCs). However, the molecular signature, self-renewal potential, and fate behavior of NSCs remain poorly defined. Here we propose a model in which the fate of active NSCs is coupled to the total number of neighboring NSCs in a shared niche. Using knock-in reporter alleles and single-cell RNA sequencing, we show that the Wnt target Tnfrsf19/Troy identifies both active and quiescent NSCs. Quantitative analysis of genetic lineage tracing of individual NSCs under homeostasis or in response to injury reveals rapid expansion of stem-cell number before some return to quiescence. This behavior is best explained by stochastic fate decisions, where stem-cell number within a shared niche fluctuates over time. Fate mapping proliferating cells using a Ki67iresCreER allele confirms that active NSCs reversibly return to quiescence, achieving long-term self-renewal. Our findings suggest a niche-based mechanism for the regulation of NSC fate and number.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | E610-E619 |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 115 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 23 Jan 2018 |
Keywords
- Animals
- Cell Lineage
- Cell Proliferation
- Lateral Ventricles/cytology
- Mice
- Neural Stem Cells/physiology
- Neurogenesis
- Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/metabolism
- Single-Cell Analysis
- Stem Cell Niche
- Transcriptome