Induction of pericyte-derived neural stem cells following transient brain ischemia/reperfusion injury

Abstract

Using a mouse model of permanent ischemic stroke, we previously showed that injury-induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) develop within the post-stroke areas. More recently, using a mouse model of transient ischemia/reperfusion injury, we investigated the threshold of ischemic periods. In addition, we examined the origin of iNSCs and their possible contribution to neurogenesis under such pathologic conditions. Although iNSCs were induced following not only lethal ischemic injury by more than 30-min ischemia but also non-lethal ischemic injury by 15-min ischemia, the numbers of iNSCs were fewer under 15-min ischemic conditions compared with those observed under 30-min ischemic conditions. We also found that iNSCs are likely derived from brain pericytes stimulated by ischemic insult and that they had an activity of producing neuronal cells. These findings indicate that iNSCs can be a strategy target to promote neurogenesis after transient ischemia/reperfusion injury. In this article, we refer to iNSCs following transient ischemia/reperfusion injury.