Laminin regulates postnatal oligodendrocyte production by promoting oligodendrocyte progenitor survival in the subventricular zone.

The laminin family of extracellular matrix proteins are expressed broadly during embryonic brain development, but are enriched at ventricular and pial surfaces where laminins mediate radial glial attachment during corticogenesis. In the adult brain, however, laminin distribution is restricted, yet is found within the vascular basal lamina and associated fractones of the ventricular zone (VZ)-subventricular zone (SVZ) stem cell niche, where laminins regulate adult neural progenitor cell proliferation. It remains unknown, however, if laminins regulate the wave of oligodendrogenesis that occurs in the neonatal/early postnatal VZ-SVZ.

Laminin alters fyn regulatory mechanisms and promotes oligodendrocyte development.

Mutations in LAMA2, the gene for the extracellular matrix protein laminin-alpha2, cause a severe muscular dystrophy termed congenital muscular dystrophy type-1A (MDC1A). MDC1A patients have accompanying CNS neural dysplasias and white matter abnormalities for which the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we report that in laminin-deficient mice, oligodendrocyte development was delayed such that oligodendrocyte progenitors accumulated inappropriately in adult brains.

beta1 integrin maintains integrity of the embryonic neocortical stem cell niche.

During embryogenesis, the neural stem cells (NSC) of the developing cerebral cortex are located in the ventricular zone (VZ) lining the cerebral ventricles. They exhibit apical and basal processes that contact the ventricular surface and the pial basement membrane, respectively. This unique architecture is important for VZ physical integrity and fate determination of NSC daughter cells.

Identification of dystroglycan as a second laminin receptor in oligodendrocytes, with a role in myelination.

Developmental abnormalities of myelination are observed in the brains of laminin-deficient humans and mice. The mechanisms by which these defects occur remain unknown. It has been proposed that, given their central role in mediating extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, integrin receptors are likely to be involved.

Gene expression in tilapia following oral delivery of chitosan-encapsulated plasmid DNA incorporated into fish feeds.

DNA delivery into fish is important for transient gene expression, (e.g., DNA vaccination).