β1-integrin suppresses generation of astrocytes by NSCs derived from the spinal cord.

A. Ependymal NSCs in adult mouse spinal cord express β1-integrin. B. NSCs derived from spinal cord are able to differentiate into astrocytes (GFAP -red), neurons (βIIItubulin-green) and oligodendrocytes (CNPase-green). β1-integrin Knock-Out (KO) increases astrocyte differentiation without altering neuronal or oligodendroglial differentiation. Scale bar = 20 µm. C. Western blot analysis shows depletion of β1 integrin protein levels in β1-itg KO NSCs derived from the spinal cord. D. Quantification of total cell numbers (DAPI) in the cultures of control and β1-integrin null cells analyzed for lineage commitment (E). There was no difference in overall cell numbers (n = 12, p = 0.89). Values are means ± SEM. E. Quantification of cell numbers of different lineages shows a significant increase (**p≤0.004) in astrocytes (67% of increase) in cultures of β1 integrin null cells at 7DIV without any change in neuronal or oligodendroglial differentiation.