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Mouse Models for Studying Hippocampal Adult Neural Stem Cell Biology

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Mouse Genetics

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2224))

Abstract

The mammalian hippocampus shows a remarkable capacity for continued neurogenesis throughout life. Newborn neurons, generated by the radial neural stem cells (NSCs), are important for learning and memory as well as mood control. During aging, the number and responses of NSCs to neurogenic stimuli diminish, leading to decreased neurogenesis and age-associated cognitive decline and psychiatric disorders. Thus, adult hippocampal neurogenesis has been the subject of intense investigation, generating both excitement and controversy. Identifying the core molecular machinery responsible for NSC preservation is of fundamental importance if we are to use neurogenesis to halt or reverse hippocampal age-related pathology. Here, we briefly overview the most frequently used mouse models to study hippocampal neurogenesis and then focus on a unique mouse model that allows NSC-specific studies based on their unique expression of lunatic fringe (Lfng). The Lfng-eGFP and Lfng(BAC)-CreERT2;RCL-tdT transgenic mice provide us with an excellent tool to resolve long-standing questions regarding the properties of NSCs, such as their specific molecular composition, potency, and plasticity, in isolation from any other cell in the hippocampal neurogenic niche.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the members of Maletic-Savatic lab for helpful discussions on this topic. This work was supported by the NIH R01GM120033-01 to M.M.S.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Fatih Semerci, Luke Parkitny & Mirjana Maletic-Savatic

  2. Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA

    Fatih Semerci, Luke Parkitny & Mirjana Maletic-Savatic

  3. Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

    Mirjana Maletic-Savatic

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  1. Fatih Semerci
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  2. Luke Parkitny
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  3. Mirjana Maletic-Savatic
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Correspondence to Mirjana Maletic-Savatic .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, USA

    Shree Ram Singh

  2. Department of Surgery, University of California, AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA

    Robert M. Hoffman

  3. Department of Biology, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH, USA

    Amit Singh

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Semerci, F., Parkitny, L., Maletic-Savatic, M. (2021). Mouse Models for Studying Hippocampal Adult Neural Stem Cell Biology. In: Singh, S.R., Hoffman, R.M., Singh, A. (eds) Mouse Genetics . Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2224. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1008-4_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-1008-4_4

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-1007-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-1008-4

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