Differential <i>Hes1</i> activation defines neural stem cell lineage commitment and niche maintenance in embryonic and adult mouse cortex

P Paul Ann Riya (Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology) R Rahul Jose (Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology) V Vadakkath Meera (Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology) B Budhaditya Basu (Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology) S Suresh Surya (Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology) R Ramankunju Aryasree (Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology) N Nair Pradeep Jyothi (Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology) S Surendran Parvathy (Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology) S Sivadasan Bindu Dhanesh (Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology) R Rajendran Sanalkumar (Institut universitaire de pathologie, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois-Lausanne University Hospital) V Viviane Praz (Institut universitaire de pathologie, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois-Lausanne University Hospital) N Nicolo Riggi (Institut universitaire de pathologie, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois-Lausanne University Hospital) J Jackson James (Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology)

Abstract

Mode of Hes1 activation and its differential expression are crucial for the maintenance of neural stem cells/progenitor cells (NSCs/NPCs) in the embryonic cortex. This differential mode of Hes1 activation has been translated into a heterogeneous population of NSCs comprising Notch-independent Hes1- expressing (NIHes1) NSCs and Notch-dependent Hes1- expressing (NDHes1) radial glial cells (RGCs). Using single-cell transcriptomics and a Nestin-CreERT2;NIHes1 fl/fl conditional knock-out mouse model, we have characterized the NIHes1 NSCs. Our analyses show that NIHes1 NSCs are the ancestral precursor NSCs that generate RGCs and intermediate progenitor cells during development. Loss of NIHes1 expression significantly alters the NSC niche, leading to increased gliogenesis and aberrant migration of projection neurons. NIHes1 NSCs are set aside at embryonic stages as adult neural stem cells and are maintained by NIHes1 expression even at adult stage. Our findings suggest that NIHes1 NSCs are functionally distinct Hes1 -expressing NSCs, which are critical for establishing both embryonic and adult NSC niches, thereby contributing to the overall cortical development.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 123, Issue 4
Published January 27, 2026
ISSN 0027-8424
Publisher National Academy of Sciences

Authors (13)

P

Paul Ann Riya

Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology

R

Rahul Jose

Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology

V

Vadakkath Meera

Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology

B

Budhaditya Basu

Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology

S

Suresh Surya

Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology

R

Ramankunju Aryasree

Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology

N

Nair Pradeep Jyothi

Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology

S

Surendran Parvathy

Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology

S

Sivadasan Bindu Dhanesh

Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology

R

Rajendran Sanalkumar

Institut universitaire de pathologie, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois-Lausanne University Hospital

V

Viviane Praz

Institut universitaire de pathologie, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois-Lausanne University Hospital

N

Nicolo Riggi

Institut universitaire de pathologie, Centre hospitalier universitaire vaudois-Lausanne University Hospital

J

Jackson James

Neuro Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Neurobiology Division, Biotechnology Research and Innovation Council-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology