Neural stem cells and glial plasticity
Neural stem cells and astrocytes share molecular and functional properties, indicating less rigid lineage boundaries between cell types and states across development and phyla.
A more integrated view of glial identity and neurogenesis enhances our understanding of adult brain plasticity and indicates that aspects of the regenerative potential may reside within the differentiated glial population.
Adult neurogenic niches are maintained by astrocyte-like stem cells, whilst parenchymal astrocytes outside these zones can display region- and context dependent proliferative potential. Invertebrate glia retain neurogenic competence, supporting the deep evolutionary roots of glial plasticity, and reveal novel aspects, including sexual dimorphism and the contribution of haemolymph cells.
Targeting astrocyte proliferation and plasticity offers promising therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative disorders, brain repair, and brain cancer.
https://www.cell.com/trends/cell-biology/fulltext/S0962-8924(26)00083-8
