Sonic Hedgehog is expressed by hilar mossy cells and regulates cellular survival and neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus.

ABSTRACT: Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a multifunctional signaling protein governing pattern formation, proliferation and cell survival during embryogenesis. In the adult brain, Shh has neurotrophic function and is implicated in hippocampal neurogenesis but the cellular source of Shh in the hippocampus remains ill defined. Here, we utilize a gene expression tracer allele of Shh (Shh-nlacZ) which allowed the identification of a subpopulation of hilar neurons known as mossy cells (MCs) as a prominent and dynamic source of Shh within the dentate gyrus. AAV-Cre mediated ablation of Shh in the adult dentate gyrus led to a marked degeneration of MCs. Conversely, chemical stimulation of hippocampal neurons using the epileptogenic agent kainic acid (KA) increased the number of Shh⁺ MCs indicating that

SUBMITTER: Gonzalez-Reyes LE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6874678 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature