Summary
This review explores neural progenitor cells (NPCs) in the postnatal/adult hypothalamus, identifying a complex neurogenic niche involving tanycytes, ependymal cells, ribbon cells, and suprachiasmatic cells. For lighting researchers, understanding hypothalamic neurogenesis is relevant because the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) — the master circadian pacemaker — exists within this neurogenic environment, suggesting potential plasticity in circadian regulation.
Key Findings
- The postnatal/adult human hypothalamus contains at least four neurogenic sub-niches: tanycytes at the floor of the 3rd ventricle, ependymal cells, ribbon cells, and suprachiasmatic cells.
- The hypothalamic neurogenic niche is proposed to regulate both hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic neural circuits via neurotransmitters, neuropeptides, extracellular vesicles, and non-coding RNAs.
- In rodents, hypothalamic NPCs primarily consist of tanycyte subtypes lining the 3rd ventricle wall, providing a translational model for human hypothalamic neurogenesis research.
Categories
Sleep & Circadian Health: The paper discusses the suprachiasmatic nucleus and hypothalamic neurogenic niches that are central to circadian rhythm regulation and entrainment.
The Science of Light: The hypothalamic neurogenic niche, including suprachiasmatic cells, is directly relevant to understanding phototransduction pathways and how light signals are processed and integrated in the brain.
Author(s)
EA Makrygianni, GP Chrousos
Publication Year
2023
Related Publications
Sleep & Circadian Health
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- The two‐process model of sleep regulation: a reappraisal
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice
- Strange vision: ganglion cells as circadian photoreceptors
The Science of Light
- Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock
- Color appearance models
- The mammalian circadian timing system: organization and coordination of central and peripheral clocks
- Diminished pupillary light reflex at high irradiances in melanopsin-knockout mice
- Melanopsin is required for non-image-forming photic responses in blind mice