Neural Development: Determination, Differentiation, Diversification

Determination

Process of defining cell fate during development.

Differentiation

Specialization of less specialized cells into specific types.

Determination

Process of defining cell fate during development.

Differentiation

Specialization of less specialized cells into specific types.

Diversification

Further specialization of postmitotic cells for functions.

Neural Circuits

Complex networks formed by interconnected neurons.

Postmitotic Fate

Specific identity acquired by a cell after division.

Oligodendrocyte Fate

Acquisition of oligodendrocyte identity via Olig2 expression.

Molecular Diversity

Variety of molecular identities among neurons and glia.

Functional Heterogeneity

Different functions performed by diverse neuron types.

Progenitor Cells

Undifferentiated cells that can become specialized neurons.

Spinal Cord Motor Neurons

Neurons that control muscle movement in the spinal cord.

Hox Genes

Genes that specify positional identity in developing neurons.

Positional Identity

Determines motor pool identities and axon targeting.

Gene Expression Programs

Patterns of gene activity during development and maturity.

Electrophysiological Properties

Electrical characteristics of neurons measured for classification.

Synaptic Specificity

Target identification of neurons based on synapse formation.

Cellular Morphology

Shape and structure of cells used for classification.

Single Cell Morphology

Individual cell shape analysis for neuron classification.

Multicellular Morphologies

Group structures of cells indicating distribution patterns.

Developmental Lineage

Line of descent determining cell specialization.

Mosaic Spacing

Regular spacing of similar neuron types in the retina.

Technological Advances

New methods enhancing understanding of cell identities.

Transcriptional Networks

Gene regulatory networks guiding early neural development.

Neural Circuitry Development

Process of forming functional neural connections.

Developmental lineage

The historical path of cell development.

Cellular morphology

Study of cell shape and structure.

Single cell morphology

Characteristics of individual neuron shapes.

Multicellular morphologies

Cell arrangements in clusters or layers.

Gene expression programs

Patterns of gene activity during development.

Uniform physiological properties

Consistent functional characteristics across neurons.

Electrophysiological recordings

Measurements of electrical activity in neurons.

Optical imaging

Visualizing cellular structures using light.

Synaptic specificity

Target identification for synaptic connections.

Location

Physical positioning of neurons in tissue.

Spacing

Regular distribution of similar neuron types.

V1 interneurons

Specific spinal cord interneurons with unique functions.

Transcriptionally defined subtypes

Neuron classifications based on gene expression.

Physiological signatures

Distinct functional characteristics of neuron types.

Mediolateral axis

Orientation from the middle to the side.

Dorsoventral axis

Orientation from the back to the belly.

Wiring diagram

Connections between neurons in a circuit.

Motor pools

Groups of neurons controlling muscle movements.

Hox genes

Genes determining body segment identity.

Intrinsic factors

Internal influences on cell fate determination.

Extrinsic factors

External influences affecting cell differentiation.

Cell fate plasticity

Ability of cells to change fate based on environment.

Intrinsic fate determination

Process by which neural progenitors develop specific identities.

Fetal spinal cord transplantation

Transplanting fetal spinal cord tissue into adult hosts.

Graft survival

The ability of transplanted tissue to remain viable.

Cellular differentiation

Process by which cells become specialized in function.

Myelination

Formation of a myelin sheath around neurons.

Neurons of different sizes

Diverse neuron types found in spinal cord transplants.

Ventral horn cells

Neurons located in the ventral part of the spinal cord.

Myelin-free regions

Areas in grafts lacking myelin, indicating specific neuron types.

Substantia gelatinosa

Region in the spinal cord associated with pain processing.

Topographical features

Spatial organization of neurons in the spinal cord.

Neural progenitor cells

Undifferentiated cells capable of developing into neurons.

Immunohistochemical markers

Techniques to identify specific proteins in tissue samples.

Dorsal horn neurons

Neurons located in the dorsal part of the spinal cord.

Laminae organization

Layered structure of neurons in the spinal cord.

Calbindin

Calcium-binding protein used as a neuronal marker.

Calretinin

Calcium-binding protein indicating specific neuron types.

Lbx1

Transcription factor associated with spinal cord development.

Organotypic domains

Specific areas in grafts where neurons differentiate appropriately.

In vitro culture

Growing cells outside their natural environment for study.

Neuronal subtypes

Distinct classes of neurons based on function and markers.

Spinal cord injury

Damage to the spinal cord affecting neural function.

Neural regeneration

The process of regrowth or repair of nervous tissue.

Spinal cord neural progenitors

Cells with predetermined fates for spinal cord neurons.

Organotypic domains

Specific regions where progenitor cells differentiate.

Intrinsic factors

Internal determinants guiding cell fate decisions.

Extrinsic factors

Environmental influences affecting cell differentiation.

Calbindin

Calcium-binding protein, marker for certain neurons.

Calretinin

Calcium-binding protein, involved in neuronal signaling.

Lbx1

Transcription factor important for neuronal identity.

Pax7

Transcription factor crucial for muscle progenitor cells.

Olig2

Transcription factor for oligodendrocyte precursor cells.

Nkx2.2

Transcription factor involved in neural patterning.

Gradient-dependent induction

Differentiation influenced by concentration gradients.

Shh (Sonic Hedgehog)

Morphogen regulating neural tube development.

Mini dorsal horn

Organized structure mimicking spinal cord regions.

6 weeks in vivo

Time frame for observing graft integration.

Neural tube explants

Tissue samples used to study neural differentiation.

Diffusible morphogens

Signaling molecules that influence cell fate from distance.

Extracellular matrix components

Structural proteins affecting cell behavior and fate.

Notch signaling

Pathway influencing cell fate through lateral inhibition.

Transcriptional programs

Gene expression patterns determining cell identity.

Environmental factors

External conditions shaping progenitor cell differentiation.

Cell fate determination

Process by which cells acquire specific identities.

Olfactory epithelium

Specialized tissue with olfactory sensory neurons.

Olfactory sensory neurons

Neurons expressing odorant receptor genes (~1000).

Dorsal-ventral axis

Orientation of neuron subtypes in olfactory epithelium.

Rhinotopy

Spatial coding of olfactory sensory neuron targeting.

Olfactory bulb

Brain structure receiving input from olfactory neurons.

Stem cells of the OE

Multipotent cells in the olfactory epithelium.

Spatial patterning

Arrangement of neurons affecting axon travel.

TdTomato+ reporter mouse

Mouse model used for tracking transplanted cells.

Region-specific markers

Identifying dorsal (NQO1) and ventral (OCAM) OSNs.

Graft-derived OSNs

Neurons originating from transplanted olfactory tissue.

Ventral OSNs

Olfactory sensory neurons located in the ventral region.

Dorsal OSNs

Olfactory sensory neurons located in the dorsal region.