Neural Stem Cell Differentiation Pathways & Lineage-specific Markers

Neural stem cells (NSC) are undifferentiated precursor cells defined by their capacity for self-renewal and mulitpotency. During central nervous system development, NSCs proliferate and divide to generate clonally related progeny that differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ventricular ependymal cells. The symmetric division of NSCs underlies their ability to self-renew and serves to maintain the NSC population. In contrast, asymmetric mitosis produces one NSC and one neural progenitor cell (NPC), daughter cells with differentiation capacity restricted to neuronal or glial lineages. Asymmetric division generates two NPCs, but does not contribute to maintaining the NSC pool. NSC self-renewal and differentiation is regulated by a precise temporal sequence of growth factor presentation, intracellular signaling, and transcription factor expression. NSCs and their differentiated progeny can be identified by the expression of a unique combination of cell surface markers and transcription factors. Navigate through the pathway above to discover lineage-specific differentiation factors and cell-specific markers for NSCs as well as their terminally differentiated progeny and transitional intermediates. Unique identifiers for each cell can be viewed by clicking on that cell-type within the lineage pathway.

To learn more, please visit our Neural Stem Cell Products Research Area.