Global Transcriptional analysis of human spinal cord and neocortical neuroepithelial stem (NES) cells

We report the transcriptional profile of human spinal cord and neocortical neuroepithelial stem cells (SC-NES and NCX-NES cells) to identify potential engraftment markers in the lesioned spinal cord. We report that cells with a homologous neuroanatomical origin robustly integrate in the host tissue compared to cells with a different regional identity. Specifically, we describe that SC-NES cells display elective integration properties in the lesioned spinal cord compared to NCX-NES cells and that these properties are due to a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Upon transplantation, SC-NES cells differentiate into neurons and glial cells and extend lond-distance axons, whereas NCX-NES cells remain undifferentiated and display poor integration properties. SC-NES cell upregulate genes related to neurogenesis. In particular. we emphasize the upregulation of MTURN (maturin), ATCAY, PTN (pleiotropin), KAL1 (anosmin), SYT4 and SYT13.