Description of distributed features of the nestin-containing cells in brains of adult mice: a potential source of neural precursor cells.

The distribution of neural precursor cells (NPCs) in adult mice brain has so far not been described. Therefore, we investigated the distribution of NPCs by analyzing the nestin-containing cells (NCCs) in distinct brain regions of adult nestin second-intron enhancer-controlled LacZ reporter transgenic mice through LacZ staining. Results showed that NCCs existed in various regions of adult mouse brain. In cerebellum, the greatest number of NCCs existed in cortex of the simple lobule, followed by cortex of the cerebellar lobule. In olfactory bulb, NCCs were most numerous in the granular cell layer, followed by the mitral cell layer and the internal plexiform, glomerular, and external plexiform layers. In brain nuclei (nu), NCCs were most numerous in the marginal nu, followed by the brainstem and diencephalon nu. NCCs in sensory nu of brainstem were more numerous than in motor nu, and NCCs in the dorsal of sensory nu were more numerous than in the ventral part. In brain ventricle systems, NCCs were largely distributed in the center of and external to the lateral ventricle, the inferior part of the third ventricle, the dorsal and inferior parts of the fourth ventricle, and the gray matter around the cerebral aqueduct. NCCs in the left vs. right brain were not significantly different. These data collectively indicate that NCCs were extensively distributed in the cerebellum and olfactory bulb, the partial nu of the marginal system, the partial brain nu adjacent to brain ventricle systems, the subependymal zone, and the cerebral cortex around the marginal lobe and were a potential source of NPCs.