SVCT2 Overexpression and Ascorbic Acid Uptake Increase Cortical Neuron Differentiation, Which Is Dependent on Vitamin C Recycling between Neurons and Astrocytes.

During brain development, sodium-vitamin C transporter (SVCT2) has been detected primarily in radial glial cells in situ, with low-to-absent expression in cerebral cortex neuroblasts. However, strong SVCT2 expression is observed during the first postnatal days, resulting in increased intracellular concentration of vitamin C. Hippocampal neurons isolated from SVCT2 knockout mice showed shorter neurites and low clustering of glutamate receptors.