The characteristics of neuronal stem cells of central neurocytoma

Abstract

Angiographic findings suggest that central neurocytoma (CN) might originate from neuronal cells of the subventricular zone (SVZ) around the foramen of Monro rather than from the septum pellucidum. The majority of CN cells have neuroblast characteristics. Most importantly, CN-derived tumor spheres have a phenotype of transit-amplifying type C cells, implying that these cells might arise from transformed transit-amplifying type C cells that reside in the SVZ. These CN-derived tumor spheres are also reminiscent of radial glial cells. Immunohistochemical and electrophysiologic studies show that these cells exhibit bipotential neuroglial differentiation in vitro.

Keywords: Cancer stem cell; Central neurocytoma; Histogenesis; Neuronal differentiation; Subventricular zone.