Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates ependymal cell development and adult homeostasis.

ABSTRACT: In the adult mouse spinal cord, the ependymal cell population that surrounds the central canal is thought to be a promising source of quiescent stem cells to treat spinal cord injury. Relatively little is known about the cellular origin of ependymal cells during spinal cord development, or the molecular mechanisms that regulate ependymal cells during adult homeostasis. Using genetic lineage tracing based on the Wnt target gene Axin2, we have characterized Wnt-responsive cells during spinal cord development. Our results revealed that Wnt-responsive progenitor cells are restricted to the dorsal midline throughout spinal cord development, which gives rise to dorsal ependymal cells in a spatially restricted pattern. This is contrary to previous reports that suggested an exclusively vent

SUBMITTER: Xing L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6042074 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature