What is the Difference Between Neural Stem Cells and Neural Progenitor Cells?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Neural stem cells (NSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) are both involved in the development and formation of neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in the brain. However, there are key differences between the two:
- Self-Renewal: NSCs are self-renewing, meaning they can generate new copies of themselves through cell division without limit. In contrast, NPCs have a limited proliferative ability and do not exhibit self-renewal.
- Potential: NSCs can generate all the cell types in the brain, while NPCs have more restricted potential.
- Cell Type: NSCs are multipotent cells that can differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The non-stem cell progeny of NSCs are referred to as NPCs.
- Developmental Stage: During development, NSCs initially expand through symmetric self-renewing divisions and later undergo asymmetric neurogenic divisions, in which one of the daughter cells remains an NSC and the other differentiates into a NPC. Over time, NPCs change their competence and produce various neuron types.
In summary, NSCs are self-renewing cells with the potential to generate all the cell types in the brain, while NPCs are their progeny with limited proliferative ability and more restricted potential.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Neural Stem Cells and Neural Progenitor Cells? Comparative Table: Neural Stem Cells vs Neural Progenitor Cells
Comparative Table: Neural Stem Cells vs Neural Progenitor Cells
Here is a table comparing the differences between neural stem cells and neural progenitor cells:
Feature | Neural Stem Cells (NSCs) | Neural Progenitor Cells (NPCs) |
---|---|---|
Definition | Cells that can generate all the cell types in the brain | Cells committed to giving rise to only one category of neural components |
Self-Renewal | Yes, NSCs can self-renew | No, NPCs do not exhibit self-renewal |
Replication Cycles | Unlimited | Limited number of replication cycles |
Cell Types Generated | Neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes | Regional and spatially distinct neurons and glial cells |
Location | Found in the embryo and adult brain | Found in the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus and the adult subventricular zone (SVZ) surrounding the lateral ventricles |
Both neural stem cells and neural progenitor cells are cells of the central nervous system and are found in the embryo as well as in the adult brain.
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- Progenitor Cells vs Stem Cells
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- Stem Cells vs Normal Cells
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- Stem Cells vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Progenitor vs Precursor Cells
- Mesenchymal vs Hematopoietic Stem Cells
- Glial Cells vs Neurons
- Specialized Cells vs Stem Cells
- Adult vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Pluripotent vs Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
- Pluripotent vs Multipotent Stem Cells
- Fetal vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Neural Crest vs Neural Tube
- Umbilical Cord Stem Cells vs Embryonic Stem Cells
- Embryonic vs Somatic Stem Cells
- Stem Cell Differentiation vs Self Renewal
- Neurogenesis Neuroplasticity vs Neuroregeneration
- IPS Cells vs Embryonic Stem Cells