Neurosphere - Revision history

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	==History==		==History==

	~~[[File:Reynolds_and_Weiss_Neurosphere_1992.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Reynolds and Weiss, 1992]]~~

	The concept of the neurosphere was first introduced by Brent A. Reynolds and Samuel Weiss in 1992. They demonstrated that neural stem cells could be isolated from the adult [[mammalian]] brain and cultured in vitro to form neurospheres. This discovery was pivotal in the field of neural stem cell research, providing a method to study the self-renewal and differentiation capabilities of these cells.		The concept of the neurosphere was first introduced by Brent A. Reynolds and Samuel Weiss in 1992. They demonstrated that neural stem cells could be isolated from the adult [[mammalian]] brain and cultured in vitro to form neurospheres. This discovery was pivotal in the field of neural stem cell research, providing a method to study the self-renewal and differentiation capabilities of these cells.

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	~~{{Short description\|A cluster of neural stem cells used in research}}~~		Neurosphere

	~~==Neurosphere==~~		[[File:Journal.pone.0001604.g001_small.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Neurospheres in culture]]
	~~A '''neurosphere''' is a culture system composed of free-floating clusters of neural stem cells (NSCs). These clusters are used extensively in~~ [[~~neuroscience]] research to study the properties of NSCs, including their ability to proliferate, differentiate, and self-renew~~. Neurospheres ~~provide a valuable~~ in ~~vitro model for understanding the development and potential therapeutic applications of neural stem cells.~~

	[[File:~~Neurosphere~~.jpg\|thumb\|~~right~~\|~~A neurosphere under a microscope~~, ~~showing a cluster~~ of neural stem cells.]]		A '''neurosphere''' is a culture system composed of free-floating clusters of neural stem cells. Neurospheres are used in [[neuroscience]] research to study the properties of neural stem cells and their potential for [[neurogenesis]] and [[neural differentiation]].

			==History==

			[[File:Reynolds_and_Weiss_Neurosphere_1992.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Reynolds and Weiss, 1992]]

			The concept of the neurosphere was first introduced by Brent A. Reynolds and Samuel Weiss in 1992. They demonstrated that neural stem cells could be isolated from the adult [[mammalian]] brain and cultured in vitro to form neurospheres. This discovery was pivotal in the field of neural stem cell research, providing a method to study the self-renewal and differentiation capabilities of these cells.

	==Formation==		==Formation==
	Neurospheres are formed when neural stem cells are cultured in a medium that supports their growth and prevents their attachment to the substrate. This is typically achieved by using a serum-free medium supplemented with growth factors such as [[epidermal growth factor]] (EGF) and [[fibroblast growth factor]] (FGF). Under these conditions, NSCs proliferate and form spherical clusters, or neurospheres, which can be maintained and expanded over several passages.

	~~==Properties==~~		Neurospheres are formed by culturing neural stem cells in a medium that lacks [[adhesion]] substrates, allowing the cells to remain in suspension. The medium is typically supplemented with growth factors such as [[epidermal growth factor]] (EGF) and [[fibroblast growth factor]] (FGF), which promote the proliferation of neural stem cells. Over time, these cells proliferate and aggregate to form spherical clusters known as neurospheres.
	Neurospheres ~~exhibit several key properties~~ that ~~make them useful for research:~~

	* '''Self-renewal''': The cells within a neurosphere can divide and produce more stem cells, maintaining the population over time.		==Applications==
	* '''Multipotency''': NSCs within neurospheres have the potential to differentiate into various cell types found in the [[central nervous system]], including [[neurons]], [[astrocytes]], and [[oligodendrocytes]].
	* '''Clonality''': Neurospheres can be derived from a single NSC, allowing researchers to study the properties of individual stem cells and their progeny.

	==~~Applications~~==		Neurospheres are used extensively in research to:
	~~Neurospheres~~ are ~~used~~ in ~~a variety of~~ research ~~applications~~, ~~including~~:
			* Study the properties of neural stem cells, including their ability to self-renew and differentiate into various neural lineages.
			* Investigate the effects of genetic and environmental factors on neural stem cell behavior.
			* Screen for potential therapeutic agents that can influence neurogenesis and neural repair.

			==Limitations==

			While neurospheres are a valuable tool in neuroscience research, they have certain limitations:

	* ~~'''Neurodevelopmental studies''': Neurospheres provide~~ a ~~model to study the processes involved in~~ the ~~development~~ of ~~the nervous system~~.		* The heterogeneity of cells within a neurosphere can complicate the interpretation of experimental results.
	* '''Disease modeling''': Researchers use neurospheres to model neurological diseases and disorders, such as [[Parkinson's disease]] and [[Alzheimer's disease]], to better understand their pathophysiology.		* The culture conditions may not fully replicate the in vivo environment of neural stem cells, potentially affecting their behavior.
	* '''Drug screening''': Neurospheres can be used to test the ~~effects~~ of ~~potential therapeutic compounds on~~ neural stem cells ~~and~~ their ~~differentiated progeny.~~
	* '''Regenerative medicine''': Neurospheres are explored as a source of cells for regenerative therapies aimed at repairing damaged or diseased nervous tissue.

	~~[[File:Neural differentiation.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons~~ and ~~glial cells.]]~~		==Neurospheres and Disease==

	~~==Challenges==~~		[[File:Neuroshperes_with_ZIKV_infection.jpg\|thumb\|right\|Neurospheres with ZIKV infection]]
	~~While neurospheres are a powerful tool for research, they also present certain challenges~~:

	* '''Heterogeneity''': Neurospheres ~~can be heterogeneous, containing a mix~~ of stem cells ~~and differentiated cells~~, ~~which can complicate data interpretation~~.		Neurospheres have been used to study the effects of various diseases on neural stem cells. For example, they have been employed to investigate the impact of [[Zika virus]] (ZIKV) infection on neural development. Studies have shown that ZIKV can infect neural progenitor cells within neurospheres, leading to impaired neurogenesis and potential developmental abnormalities.
	* '''Standardization''': Variability in culture conditions and techniques can ~~lead to inconsistent results between different laboratories.~~
	* '''In vivo relevance''': While neurospheres ~~provide a useful in vitro model~~, ~~translating findings~~ to ~~in vivo systems remains a significant challenge~~.

	==Related pages==		==Related pages==

	* [[Neural stem cell]]		* [[Neural stem cell]]
	* [[Stem cell therapy]]
	* [[Neurogenesis]]		* [[Neurogenesis]]
	* [[~~Cell culture~~]]		* [[Stem cell]]
			* [[Zika virus]]

	[[Category:Stem cells]]		[[Category:Stem cells]]
	[[Category:Neuroscience]]		[[Category:Neuroscience]]

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	~~'''Neurosphere'''~~		{{Short description\|A cluster of neural stem cells used in research}}

	A '''neurosphere''' is a culture system composed of neural stem cells ~~and progenitor cells which~~ are ~~capable~~ of self-~~renewal~~ and ~~limited lineage~~ potential~~. The neurosphere assay (NSA) is a common method used to study these~~ cells.		==Neurosphere==
			A '''neurosphere''' is a culture system composed of free-floating clusters of neural stem cells (NSCs). These clusters are used extensively in [[neuroscience]] research to study the properties of NSCs, including their ability to proliferate, differentiate, and self-renew. Neurospheres provide a valuable in vitro model for understanding the development and potential therapeutic applications of neural stem cells.

	~~== History ==~~		[[File:Neurosphere.jpg\|thumb\|right\|A neurosphere under a microscope, showing a cluster of neural stem cells.]]

	~~The neurosphere was first described by Reynolds and Weiss in 1992. They discovered that~~ when ~~dissociated~~ cells ~~from the striatum of the adult mouse brain were~~ cultured in serum-free medium ~~containing~~ epidermal growth factor (EGF), ~~a small proportion of the cells survived~~ and ~~proliferated to~~ form clusters ~~of cells~~, which ~~they termed neurospheres~~.		==Formation==
			Neurospheres are formed when neural stem cells are cultured in a medium that supports their growth and prevents their attachment to the substrate. This is typically achieved by using a serum-free medium supplemented with growth factors such as [[epidermal growth factor]] (EGF) and [[fibroblast growth factor]] (FGF). Under these conditions, NSCs proliferate and form spherical clusters, or neurospheres, which can be maintained and expanded over several passages.

	== ~~Characteristics~~ ==		==Properties==
			Neurospheres exhibit several key properties that make them useful for research:

	~~Neurospheres are characterized by their ability~~ to ~~maintain multipotentiality, which means they can~~ differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. ~~They are also capable of self-renewal, meaning they~~ can ~~generate new neurospheres~~ from single cells.		* '''Self-renewal''': The cells within a neurosphere can divide and produce more stem cells, maintaining the population over time.
			* '''Multipotency''': NSCs within neurospheres have the potential to differentiate into various cell types found in the [[central nervous system]], including [[neurons]], [[astrocytes]], and [[oligodendrocytes]].
			* '''Clonality''': Neurospheres can be derived from a single NSC, allowing researchers to study the properties of individual stem cells and their progeny.

	== ~~Neurosphere Assay (NSA)~~ ==		==Applications==
			Neurospheres are used in a variety of research applications, including:

	~~The neurosphere assay (NSA) is~~ a ~~method used~~ to ~~quantify neural stem~~ and ~~progenitor cells in vitro~~. ~~It is based on~~ the ~~ability~~ of neural stem cells ~~to proliferate~~ and ~~form neurospheres in the presence~~ of ~~growth factors such as EGF and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)~~.		* '''Neurodevelopmental studies''': Neurospheres provide a model to study the processes involved in the development of the nervous system.
			* '''Disease modeling''': Researchers use neurospheres to model neurological diseases and disorders, such as [[Parkinson's disease]] and [[Alzheimer's disease]], to better understand their pathophysiology.
			* '''Drug screening''': Neurospheres can be used to test the effects of potential therapeutic compounds on neural stem cells and their differentiated progeny.
			* '''Regenerative medicine''': Neurospheres are explored as a source of cells for regenerative therapies aimed at repairing damaged or diseased nervous tissue.

	~~== Criticisms ==~~		[[File:Neural differentiation.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons and glial cells.]]

	~~Despite its widespread use, the NSA has been criticized for its lack of specificity and reproducibility. Some researchers argue that the number of~~ neurospheres ~~formed in the NSA does not accurately reflect the number of stem cells in~~ a ~~given population~~, ~~as the assay is~~ also ~~influenced by progenitor cell proliferation and survival.~~		==Challenges==
			While neurospheres are a powerful tool for research, they also present certain challenges:

	~~== See also ==~~		* '''Heterogeneity''': Neurospheres can be heterogeneous, containing a mix of stem cells and differentiated cells, which can complicate data interpretation.
			* '''Standardization''': Variability in culture conditions and techniques can lead to inconsistent results between different laboratories.
			* '''In vivo relevance''': While neurospheres provide a useful in vitro model, translating findings to in vivo systems remains a significant challenge.

			==Related pages==
	* [[Neural stem cell]]		* [[Neural stem cell]]
			* [[Stem cell therapy]]
	* [[Neurogenesis]]		* [[Neurogenesis]]
	* [[~~Epidermal growth factor~~]]		* [[Cell culture]]
	* [[Fibroblast growth factor 2]]

	~~== References ==~~

	~~<references />~~

			[[Category:Stem cells]]
	[[Category:Neuroscience]]		[[Category:Neuroscience]]
	~~[[Category:Cell biology]]~~
	~~[[Category:Stem cells]]~~

	~~{{stub}}~~
	~~{{dictionary-stub1}}~~
	~~<gallery>~~
	~~File:Journal.pone.0001604.g001_small.jpg\|Neurosphere~~
	~~File:Reynolds_and_Weiss_Neurosphere_1992.jpg\|Neurosphere~~
	~~File:Neuroshperes_with_ZIKV_infection.jpg\|Neurosphere~~
	~~</gallery>~~

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	{{stub}}		{{stub}}
	{{dictionary-stub1}}		{{dictionary-stub1}}
			<gallery>
			File:Journal.pone.0001604.g001_small.jpg\|Neurosphere
			File:Reynolds_and_Weiss_Neurosphere_1992.jpg\|Neurosphere
			File:Neuroshperes_with_ZIKV_infection.jpg\|Neurosphere
			</gallery>

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New page

'''Neurosphere'''

A '''neurosphere''' is a culture system composed of neural stem cells and progenitor cells which are capable of self-renewal and limited lineage potential. The neurosphere assay (NSA) is a common method used to study these cells.

== History ==

The neurosphere was first described by Reynolds and Weiss in 1992. They discovered that when dissociated cells from the striatum of the adult mouse brain were cultured in serum-free medium containing epidermal growth factor (EGF), a small proportion of the cells survived and proliferated to form clusters of cells, which they termed neurospheres.

== Characteristics ==

Neurospheres are characterized by their ability to maintain multipotentiality, which means they can differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. They are also capable of self-renewal, meaning they can generate new neurospheres from single cells.

== Neurosphere Assay (NSA) ==

The neurosphere assay (NSA) is a method used to quantify neural stem and progenitor cells in vitro. It is based on the ability of neural stem cells to proliferate and form neurospheres in the presence of growth factors such as EGF and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2).

== Criticisms ==

Despite its widespread use, the NSA has been criticized for its lack of specificity and reproducibility. Some researchers argue that the number of neurospheres formed in the NSA does not accurately reflect the number of stem cells in a given population, as the assay is also influenced by progenitor cell proliferation and survival.

== See also ==

* [[Neural stem cell]]
* [[Neurogenesis]]
* [[Epidermal growth factor]]
* [[Fibroblast growth factor 2]]

== References ==

<references />

[[Category:Neuroscience]]
[[Category:Cell biology]]
[[Category:Stem cells]]

{{stub}}
{{dictionary-stub1}}