Neurogenesis in adult vertebrate spinal cord in situ and in vitro: a new model system.

Phylogenetically "lower" species in some cases use different biological strategies for recovery after injury to the CNS than do "higher" species. One approach that we have taken in our laboratory has been to study the mechanisms of functional recovery of the CNS after injury in those vertebrate species where recovery does occur. The present report reviews recent studies on a model system, the spinal electromotor system of the gymnotiform teleost Sternarchus albifrons, which exhibits regeneration and neurogenesis after injury. Regeneration in this system leads to a recapitulation of relatively normal morphologic structure by the damaged or extirpated spinal cord. In Sternarchus, new spinal cord is generated from ependymal cells; some ependymal cells in the adult remain pluripotent and retain the capability to generate new neurons. The Sternarchus spinal cord thus represents an especially useful model for the study of neurogenesis after injury to the CNS. Recent studies in our laboratory indicate that neurogenesis in adult Sternarchus spinal cord tissue occurs both in vivo and in vitro. Neurogenesis has been demonstrated by incorporation of tritiated thymidine into explant cultures from the spinal cord of adult Sternarchus. Autoradiography reveals the presence of thymidine-labeled neurons. Neuronal identity of 3H-labeled cells has been confirmed by positive staining with neuron-specific monoclonal antibodies. Thymidine labeling occurs in cultured neurons derived from both normal (histologically and functionally mature) and regenerating spinal cord of adult Sternarchus albifrons. These results provide evidence that some cells in spinal cord of adult Sternarchus retain the ability to incorporate thymidine and undergo neuronal differentiation in vitro. This system provides a new model in which neurogenesis from adult tissue can be studied in vivo and in vitro.