Cell Counting using Unbiased Stereology Techniques

Title:

GFAP-expressing progenitors are the principal source of constitutive neurogenesis in adult mouse forebrain

Researchers:

Denise Garcia, Ngan Doan, Tetsuya Imura, Toby Bush and Michael Sofroniew

Method:

In mice where GFAP-expressing progenitors were transgenicly deleted, BRDU positive cells in the dentate gyrus and olfactory bulb were counted using a modified optical fractionator probe in Stereo Investigator using tissue specimens viewed using brightfield microscopy.

Results:

By selectively deleting GFAP expressing progenitors, the number of BRDU positive cells within the adult mouse forebrain is reduced dramatically. In contrast to developmental neurogenesis, these results indicate that constitutive neurogenesis in the forebrain is driven by separate cell type: progenitors that express GFAP.

Reference:

Garcia, A.D.R., Doan, N.B., Imura, T., Bush, T.G., and Sofroniew, M.V. (2004). GFAP-expressing progenitors are the principal source of constitutive neurogenesis in adult mouse forebrain. Nat Neurosci. 7(11): 1233.

Product used: Stereo Investigator