Spatial control of astrogenesis progression by cortical arealization genes

Assessing Neuronogenic Versus Astrogenic Bias of Neural Stem Cells Via In Vitro Clonal Assay

Within the developing cerebral cortex, neural stem cells (NSCs) give rise to neurons and glial cells, according to complex spatio-temporal trajectories. In this respect, a key issue is how NSCs are committed to different neural lineages in time and space. Clonal assays are a powerful tool to address this issue. Here we describe an easy clonal assay protocol employable to dissect NSCs lineage commitment and molecular mechanisms underlying it. NSCs of distinctive spatio-temporal origin, and/or having undergone different molecular manipulations, are plated at low density and allowed to differentiate for a few days. Then, systematic immunoprofiling of the resulting clones allows to quantify commitment of their NSC ancestors to neuronal and astroglial fates.

Phenotypic Spectrum of NFIA Haploinsufficiency: Two Additional Cases and Review of the Literature

The NFIA (nuclear factor I/A) gene encodes for a transcription factor belonging to the nuclear factor I family and has key roles in various embryonic differentiation pathways. In humans, NFIA is the major contributor to the phenotypic traits of "Chromosome 1p32p31 deletion syndrome". We report on two new cases with deletions involving NFIA without any other pathogenic protein-coding gene alterations. A cohort of 24 patients with NFIA haploinsufficiency as the sole anomaly was selected by reviewing the literature and public databases in order to analyze all clinical features reported and their relative frequencies. This process was useful because it provided an overall picture of the phenotypic outcome of NFIA haploinsufficiency and helped to define a cluster of phenotypic traits that can facilitate clinicians in identifying affected patients. NFIA haploinsufficiency can be suspected by a careful observation of the dysmorphisms (macrocephaly, craniofacial, and first-finger anomalies), and this potential diagnosis is strengthened by the presence of intellectual and developmental disabilities or other neurodevelopmental disorders. Further clues of NFIA haploinsufficiency can be provided by instrumental tests such as MRI and kidney urinary tract ultrasound and confirmed by genetic testing.