Neural Stem Cell Migration: Role of Directional Cues and Electric Fields

The migration of neural stem cells (NSCs) is a key component of their therapeutic potential. NSCs are among the potential tools for cell-based therapies directed at CNS repair, and a better understanding of their capacity to respond to directional cues can contribute to their improved targeting to injured regions. These responses are also essential for the observed ability of NSCs to closely track brain tumor cells in vivo, which has significant clinical potential as well. Recently, it has been shown that NSC migration in vitro can be precisely controlled by the application of an external electric field (EF). EFs have been widely studied as directional cues in vitro, and their application to control cell migration in vivo as well as their use in clinical settings is beginning to be developed. Controlling neural stem cell migration by using diverse directional cues, among them EFs, will contribute to their use as therapeutic tools.