Over-Expression of Cyclin D1 Promotes NSCs Proliferation and Induces the Differentiation into Astrocytes Via Jak-STAT3 Pathways.

Precise control of the proliferation and differentiation of multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) is crucial for the proper development of the nervous system. Although cyclinD1 has been implicated as a cause of cancer in many studies, its roles in NSCs remain elusive. In this study, we examined the over-expression of cyclinD1 in controlling the self-renewal and differentiation of NSCs. Moreover, we found that the over-expression of cyclinD1 can drive cells to enter S phase and support the clonal self-renewing growth of NSCs. During the differentiation of NSCs, the over-expression of cyclinD1 promoted the generation of astrocytes, and their promotion likely occurred through synergistic phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. Our data suggest that the over-expression of cyclinD1 promotes the proliferation of NSCs and induces their differentiation into astrocytes via Jak-STAT3 pathways.