Syndecan-1 stimulates adult neurogenesis in the mouse ventricular-subventricular zone after injury

Summary The production of neurons from neural stem cells (NSCs) persists throughout life in the mouse ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ). We have previously reported that NSCs from adult V-SVZ are contained in cell populations expressing the carbohydrate SSEA-1/LeX, which exhibit either characteristics of quiescent NSCs (qNSCs) or of actively dividing NSCs (aNSCs) based on the absence or the presence of EGF-receptor, respectively. Using the FUCCI-Cdt1 transgenic mice to mark cells in G0/G1phase of the cell cycle, we uncovered a subpopulation of qNSCs which were primed to enter the cell cycle in vitro. Besides, we found that treatment with Syndecan-1, a Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan involved in NSC proliferation, hastened the division of qNSCs and increased proliferation of aNSCs shorthening their G1 phase in vitro. Furthermore, administration of Syndecan-1 ameliorated the recovery of neurogenic populations in the V-SVZ after radiation-induced injury providing potential cure for neurogenesis decline during brain aging or after injury.