Cellular heterogeneity of the neonatal SVZ and its contributions to forebrain neurogenesis and gliogenesis

Abstract

The vast majority of the cells that comprise the telencephalon are generated from precursors that reside within two germinal regions, the ventricular zone (VZ) and the subventricular zone (SVZ). These regions have been classically defined based upon distinctions in the morphologies of the cells that comprise them. In addition, they produce distinct progeny. Whereas developmental neurobiologists have extensively studied the VZ, it is only within the last 2 decades that the roles of SVZ cells, in both development and cell replacement, have been elucidated. In this chapter, we will contrast the cells of the subventricular zones with those of the ventricular zone, describe the spatiotemporal origins of perinatal dorsolateral SVZ (SVZDL) cells, and finally review the contributions of perinatal SVZ cells to neurogenesis and gliogenesis, citing studies largely performed on rodents.