Comparative Analysis of the Expression of Neural Stem Cell-Associated Genes during Neocortex and Retina Development in Human

We compared the expression of Sox2, Oct4, Nanog, Pax6, Prox1 genes associated with plasticity of neural stem and progenitor cells during human neocortex and retina development and in cell cultures. At the analyzed stages of neurogenesis, Pax6 gene is expressed in the neocortex and retina at constant levels, the expression is by one order of magnitude higher in the retina. The dynamics of Sox2 and Pax6 expression in the neocortex was similar. The expression of Oct4 and Nanog genes during neurogenesis in the neocortex and human fetal retina reflects the existence of a high-plasticity cell pool. The dynamics of βIII-tubulin expression indicates that the retina develops more rapidly than the neocortex. Our experiments showed that genetically determined cell potencies typical of native cells are realized in primary cultures without specific stimulation.