Neural Stem Cells: the Bench Players

The brain is the most complex organ in the body. Our brains allow us to think, observe, analyze, move, feel, and do many other tasks. Like other organs, the brain is made up of several types of cells. Neurons are the main cells of the brain. They are considered the main players in producing the wonderful range of human behavior. A neuron connects with other neurons to transmit messages. This message transmission allows us to do all the things we do. The brain also consists of other types of cells with different jobs, such as supporting and nourishing the neurons, helping the neurons to transmit their signals, or defending the brain against foreign organisms [1].

Not long ago, scientists believed that no new neurons could join the “team” of brain cells once it was formed before birth—it was thought that new neurons were not made after a person was born. Later, scientists discovered that two areas in the brain could make new neurons. These two brain areas contain special cells called neural stem cells (NSCs), which can generate new neurons through a process called neurogenesis. The two areas of the brain that contain NSCs and can perform neurogenesis throughout life are: (1) the sub-ventricular zone, which is the area of the brain where most of the neurogenesis happens; and (2) a region in the hippocampus, which is the part of the brain responsible for memory (Figure 1). Interestingly, it has also been found that NSCs can act as “bench players” that join the brain-cell team in case of injury, meaning that neurogenesis increases following damage to the brain [2].

How Do We Spot the Newbies?

There are several ways to spot the neurons that have recently joined the team. BrdU staining is one method used to detect the new neurons, which are usually produced by NSCs. BrdU is a chemical that can be added to brain cells in the lab and then it becomes incorporated into the DNA of new neurons. BrdU becomes a part of and marks the DNA of new cells only, and the mature older cells do not get marked by BrdU. The staining by BrdU molecules in new cells can be detected under a microscope (Figure 1).

Another strategy to find newly formed neurons is to look for their mascot. Let us pretend that each type of cell in the brain has a specific mascot. If we can spot the mascot, then we will know the team and the team is the type of brain cell! But, what is the mascot of a neuron? Newly formed neurons will have specific molecules that are made only by them (their mascot). What scientists do is to look for the presence of these specific molecules. To find these specific molecules, scientists then use specific detector molecules that stick only to the mascot of new neurons and not to other mascots. The detector molecules can be seen under a special microscope.

Yet another method is to determine the age of the new neurons. This is possible because new neurons are much younger than the neurons that you were born with. Scientists do this by looking at the carbon content of neurons. Carbon is an element found in nature and is a building block of everything in life, including cells. The properties of carbon change over time, and we can know how old something is by looking at the type of carbon it has. Think of it this way: every year, the newcomers get a new bracelet as a welcome gift, which differs from bracelets distributed in the previous years. So, we can tell which year a member joined the team by looking at their bracelets. The bracelets are the type of carbon they have [2].

Brain Injury and Neurodegeneration

Most of us have bumped our heads once or twice in our lifetimes. We may have felt some sort of pain, but woken up the next day as if nothing happened. This is known as a head injury. Head injuries usually do not lead to long-term consequences. But, if the hit to the brain was repeated or if the initial bump was very severe, head injury can lead to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The worse the TBI, the more serious the outcome will be for the injured person and the more changes will occur in that person’s brain.

There are two stages to TBI, called primary injury and secondary injury (Figure 2). The primary injury involves changes in the brain that occur immediately after hitting our heads. There will be damage to cells, bleeding near the area of injury, and pain. Hours or even days after the primary injury, the secondary injury takes place. The secondary injury involves more changes in the brain, including excitotoxicity (when neurons are damaged or even killed because of being highly active) and inflammation. Inflammation of neurons involves the activation of the immune cells of the brain that are called microglia. Activated microglia release inflammatory molecules, which recruit other types of immune cells to the location of the brain injury, thus increasing the inflammation even more. This increase in inflammation is a normal response to injury and is vital to the maintenance of health. However, an uncontrolled increase of inflammation is harmful to cells.

In addition, during the secondary injury, brain cells become stressed and start to accumulate toxin molecules that can eventually lead to the death of neurons, or what we call neurodegeneration. Therefore, it is often the secondary injury that causes the most damage and neurodegeneration, even though the actual hit to the head took place days or weeks earlier. The death of many neurons can be very dangerous and even lead to long-term problems called neurodegenerative diseases [3]. Scientists are trying to decrease the bad outcomes of TBI by increasing neurogenesis after the injury.

Neurogenesis and Neurodegeneration: TUG of War

Injury to the brain, as mentioned above, causes inflammation. Inflammation in the brain is caused by the activation of microglia and other immune cells called macrophages. These cells secrete chemicals, such as the inflammatory molecules, that can promote either neurogenesis or neurodegeneration (Figure 3). But, how?

If the brain injury is very mild, controlled inflammation in the brain will occur. This controlled inflammation has a positive effect on neurogenesis, since it aims to replace the lost neurons. However, if the injury to the brain is very severe or if the brain injury is repeated, as often seen in certain sports activities, then this can lead to severe inflammation. Severe inflammation cannot be controlled. Some inflammatory molecules released during severe inflammation have a negative effect on neurogenesis and form a harsh environment for growth of new neurons. In the presence of these inflammatory molecules, even if newborn neurons form then they cannot survive. So, in the case of severe or repeated head injuries, there will be more neurodegeneration than neurogenesis.

This situation is like weighing two things on a pan balance. If there are equal weights on both sides, the balance is at equilibrium. This is what happens in the case of controlled inflammation: the amount of neurogenesis that occurs is somewhat equal to the amount of neurodegeneration that took place as a result of the injury. However, if one side of the balance is heavier than the other, this will cause the balance to tilt. In the case of severe brain injury, there is uncontrolled inflammation. This causes the amount of neurodegeneration to be greater than the amount of neurogenesis (Figure 3). In this situation, the balance tilts toward neurodegeneration and the secondary injury can lead to serious neurodegenerative diseases [4].

The Effects of Neurodegeneration

Neurons work together to perform all brain functions. If neurons start to die, the functions of the brain are affected. People who suffer a mild or a moderate TBI may lose a few neurons. They may experience problems with their thinking or memory, or with their ability to pay attention.

Severe TBI occurs when the brain receives a severe injury, for example, during car crashes or hard falls. People who perform contact sports, such as football players, hockey players, soccer players, and boxers are examples of people who may be exposed to severe TBI or repeated TBI.

During severe TBI, many neurons die and this causes neurodegeneration to outweigh neurogenesis. Severe TBI or repeated hits on the head may put people at risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases because a great number of neurons die.

Neurodegenerative diseases can show up tens of years following TBI. Neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, which causes memory loss, and Parkinson’s disease, in which people start to shake because they lose control of their muscles. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease in which people lose control of their muscles, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy are other types of neurodegenerative diseases. Encephalopathy refers to diseases that affect the function or structure of the brain and in chronic traumatic encephalopathy the patients show problems in their behavior, mood, and thinking, leading to confusion and forgetfulness.

Conclusion

TBIs should always be taken seriously. The damage that occurs following TBI is not always visible immediately. If you experience a TBI, it can affect you in the long run. There are many factors that influence the outcome of TBI. If the injury is very severe, neurogenesis is not as effective, and this can shift the balance toward neurodegeneration. So, you should always protect your head when doing dangerous activities or when playing sports. Protecting your brain is a must [3, 5]!

Glossary

Neurons: ↑ Are fundamental cells of the brain that transmit information to other cells.

Neural Stem Cell: ↑ Are cells that can renew themselves and can form new neurons.

Neurogenesis: ↑ A process by which new neurons are produced.

TBI: ↑ An injury to the brain that disrupts normal brain functioning.

Inflammation: ↑ It is a protective biological response that starts under harmful conditions, such as stress. It is one way your body fights infection, injury, or disease. It involves immune cells, blood vessels, and many molecules inside the cell.

Microglia: ↑ A type of immune cell that is found in the brain.

Neurodegeneration: ↑ A process that causes neurons to die. It is a measure of neuron death.

Neurodegenerative Diseases: ↑ Neurodegenerative diseases are a set of diseases characterized by the progressive loss of neurons or neural function. They lead to problems with movement, or mental functioning. Most of these diseases are not curable.

Macrophage: ↑ A type of immune cell involved in the process of inflammation.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.