Despite its critical importance to global brain function, the postnatal development of the human pons remains poorly understood. In the present study, we first performed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based morphometric analyses of the postnatal human pons (0-18 years; n = 6-14/timepoint). Pons volume increased 6-fold from birth to 5 years, followed by continued slower growth throughout childhood. The observed growth was primarily due to expansion of the basis pontis. T2-based MRI analysis suggests that this growth is linked to increased myelination, and histological analysis of myelin basic protein in human postmortem specimens confirmed a dramatic increase in myelination during infancy. Analysis of cellular proliferation revealed many Ki67(+) cells during the first 7 months of life, particularly during the first month, where proliferation was increased in the basis relative to tegmentum. The majority of proliferative cells in the postnatal pons expressed the transcription factor Olig2, suggesting an oligodendrocyte lineage. The proportion of proliferating cells that were Olig2(+) was similar through the first 7 months of life and between basis and tegmentum. The number of Ki67(+) cells declined dramatically from birth to 7 months and further decreased by 3 years, with a small number of Ki67(+) cells observed throughout childhood. In addition, two populations of vimentin/nestin-expressing cells were identified: a dorsal group near the ventricular surface, which persists throughout childhood, and a parenchymal population that diminishes by 7 months and was not evident later in childhood. Together, our data reveal remarkable postnatal growth in the ventral pons, particularly during infancy when cells are most proliferative and myelination increases.
Pubmed ID: 25307966 RIS Download
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This monoclonal targets Vimentin
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets GFAP
View all literature mentionsThis unknown targets Prokaryotic recombinant fusion protein corresponding to a 1086bp Ki67 motif-containing cDNA fragment
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Ki-67
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets GFAP - Astrocyte Marker
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Nestin
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets fusion protein containing N-terminus of mouse Olig2
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets N-terminus of mouse Olig2
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Myelin Basic Protein (MBP)
View all literature mentionsStereo Investigator system includes microscope, computer, and Stereo Investigator software. Software works with Brightfield, Multi-Channel Fluorescence, Confocal, and Structured Illumination Microscopes. System used to provide estimates of number, length, area, and volume of cells or biological structures in tissue specimen in areas of neuroscience including neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathy, memory, and behavior, pulmonary research, spinal cord research, and toxicology.
View all literature mentionsThe objective of this human tissue repository is to systematically collect, store, and distribute brain and other tissues for research dedicated to the improved understanding, care, and treatment of individuals with developmental disorders. Brain sections are primarily frozen in isopentane / dry ice. Tissues are stored in 10% formalin and frozen at -85 degrees C. Of special interest are individuals with Down syndrome and other chromosomal defects, mitochondrial encephalopathies, phenylketonuria and other aminoacidopathies, maternal PKU, Rett syndrome, leukodystrophies, lysosomal disorders, dyslexia, autism, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. The brain and tissue banks have extensive experience in arranging for the rapid retrieval of tissue upon the death of individuals who die while at home, in hospitals or hospice care. As a special service, the brain and tissue banks are able to assist researchers who are working with patients who intend to donate tissues at the time of their death. Immediately after retrieval of the tissue, the brain and tissue banks will forward needed tissue to the referring investigators and ensure proper storage and cataloging of any additional tissues as part of the brain and tissue banks. The recipient of tissue and the brain and tissue banks are required to sign a Tissue Transfer Agreement before any tissues are transferred.
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Ki-67
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets N-terminus of mouse Olig2
View all literature mentionsThis unknown targets Prokaryotic recombinant fusion protein corresponding to a 1086bp Ki67 motif-containing cDNA fragment
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets GFAP - Astrocyte Marker
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets GFAP
View all literature mentionsThe objective of this human tissue repository is to systematically collect, store, and distribute brain and other tissues for research dedicated to the improved understanding, care, and treatment of individuals with developmental disorders. Brain sections are primarily frozen in isopentane / dry ice. Tissues are stored in 10% formalin and frozen at -85 degrees C. Of special interest are individuals with Down syndrome and other chromosomal defects, mitochondrial encephalopathies, phenylketonuria and other aminoacidopathies, maternal PKU, Rett syndrome, leukodystrophies, lysosomal disorders, dyslexia, autism, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. The brain and tissue banks have extensive experience in arranging for the rapid retrieval of tissue upon the death of individuals who die while at home, in hospitals or hospice care. As a special service, the brain and tissue banks are able to assist researchers who are working with patients who intend to donate tissues at the time of their death. Immediately after retrieval of the tissue, the brain and tissue banks will forward needed tissue to the referring investigators and ensure proper storage and cataloging of any additional tissues as part of the brain and tissue banks. The recipient of tissue and the brain and tissue banks are required to sign a Tissue Transfer Agreement before any tissues are transferred.
View all literature mentionsStereo Investigator system includes microscope, computer, and Stereo Investigator software. Software works with Brightfield, Multi-Channel Fluorescence, Confocal, and Structured Illumination Microscopes. System used to provide estimates of number, length, area, and volume of cells or biological structures in tissue specimen in areas of neuroscience including neurodegenerative diseases, neuropathy, memory, and behavior, pulmonary research, spinal cord research, and toxicology.
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets fusion protein containing N-terminus of mouse Olig2
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Vimentin
View all literature mentionsThis monoclonal targets Nestin
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets Myelin Basic Protein (MBP)
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets N-terminus of mouse Olig2
View all literature mentionsThis polyclonal targets GFAP - Astrocyte Marker
View all literature mentions