EPENDYMAL PROLIFERATION: A CONDUIT FOR TRICKING THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM INTO BIOENGINEERING ITSELF

摘要

Ependymal Cells are a type of Glial Cell lining the ventricles and central canal of the spinal cord. Their primary function is tosecrete and circulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Neural stem cells (NSC’s) exist within the ependymal lining that are capableof neurogenesis. Historically it was thought that neurogenesis only occurred prenatally and that adult ependymal cells areincapable of regeneration. It is now known that primary neurogenic areas within the Central Nervous System (CNS) arelocated within the lateral ventricle and hippocampus. These areas contain a layer of ependymal cells that are capable ofundergoing proliferation. Recent studies have demonstrated that ependymal cells lining the central cord canal also possessNSC’s capable of differentiation following Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). These cells migrate to the site of damage anddifferentiate into astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Recent research has focused on strategies to modulate cellular proliferationand differentiation in the spinal cord. Neurological insults leads to inflammation, activation of the oxidative stress responseand subsequent proliferation of ependymal cells into astrocytes that are the body’s way to regenerate and heal. The presenceor absence of neurological trauma, astrocytes, neurotrophins, growth factors, microtubules and microtubule activatingproteins promote cell survival and terminal differentiation of neurons. Manipulation of ependymal NSC’s can be atherapeutic tool to treat neurological conditions with underlying neurotoxic mechanism including SCI, traumatic brain injuryand Alzheimer’s disease.