BACKGROUND : Research on neural stem cells (NSCs) using rodents to represent NSC protein markers and their anatomical distribution in comparison to humans is still limited. To address this gap, this review aimed to identify the protein markers expressed by NSCs and compare their anatomical locations in rodents and humans. METHODS : A systematic review was performed in accordance with preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Nature databases for studies published between March 2023 and March 2024. Eligible studies, data extraction and synthesis focused on the type of NSC markers and the sites of detection. RESULTS : A total of 47 studies were analyzed. Frequently reported NSC markers included Nestin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), sex determining region Y (SRY)-box transcription factor 2, SRY-box transcription factor 9, doublecortin, oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (Olig2), Ki-67, β-tubulin III, and S100β. In rodent, NSCs were consistently positive detected in the lateral ventricle, hippocampus, peri-infarct area, and cerebral cortex. In humans, similar patterns were observed with additional reports of NSC markers such as Ki-67, GFAP, Olig2, and Nestin may detected in peri-infarct, blood serum, and cerebrospinal fluid. CONCLUSIONS NSC markers and anatomical distribution are similar between rodents and humans, emphasizing the validity of rodent models in neurogenesis research.
biomarkers ; brain ; humans ; neural stem cells ; rodents