Region-specific differentiation of neural tube-derived neuronal restrictedprogenitor cells after heterotopic transplantation

Spinal cord neuronal restricted progenitor (NRP) cells, when transplanted i nto the neonatal anterior forebrain subventricular zone, migrate to distinc t regions throughout the forebrain including the olfactory bulb, frontal co rtex, and occipital cortex but not to the hippocampus. Their migration patt ern and differentiation potential is distinct from anterior forebrain subve ntricular zone NRPs. Irrespective of their final destination, NRP cells do not differentiate into glia. Rather they synthesize neurotransmitters, acqu ire region-specific phenotypes, and receive synapses from host neurons afte r transplantation. Spinal cord NRPs express choline acetyl transferase even in regions where host neurons do not express this marker. The restricted d istribution of transplanted spinal cord NRP cells and their acquisition of varied region-specific phenotypes suggest that their ultimate fate and phen otype is dictated by a combination of intrinsic properties and extrinsic cu es from the host.