Neural stem cells

Laminin expression in the adult brain

Laminin 421, laminin 221, laminin 511 and laminin 521 are the main laminin isoforms expressed in the mouse and human subventricular/subependymal zone and ventricular zone (SVZ/SEZ and VZ) as well as the dentate gyrus of the adult central nervous system (Fietz, 2012; Hall, 2008; Indyk, 2003). Within the adult stem cell niches, the laminins are produced by ependymal cells, transit-amplifying precursors (type C cells), GFAP+ astrocytes and vascular fractions in contact with the stem cells (Shen, 2008; Chen, 2003).

Laminin expression during development

The interaction between integrins and laminins is essential for adhesion and thus the survival, maintenance, proliferation and fate decisions of neural stem cells (NSCs). Neuroepithelial cells and radial glial cells express laminin 511, laminin 521 and laminin 111. Additionally, other different laminin chains may play significant developmentally important roles, such as laminin 421 and laminin 221, which are expressed differently between radial glial cells and SVZ NSCs (Domogatskaya, 2012; Loulier, 2009).

Biolaminin for a better culture of neural stem cells

Early studies using purified placental laminins (mainly laminin 521, 511, 411 and 211) show an increase in the proliferation rate of human NSCs derived from fetal tissue and reduced number of apoptotic cells (Hall, 2008). Human recombinant Biolaminin 521 and Biolaminin 511 substrates also support neural crest cells.

In this video, Associate Professor Anna Falk presents her research on patient-specific neural stem cells which faithfully mimics known neurological disorder phenotypes in vitro. Patient-derived iPSCs are specified to neuroepithelial stem cell lines, efficiently expanded and differentiated into neurons and glial cells on Biolaminin 521.