| Despite the poor regenerative capacity of the adult central nervous system (CNS) in mammals, two distinct regions,
subventricular zone (SVZ) and the subgranular zone (SGZ), continue to generate new functional neurons
throughout lifewhich integrate into the pre-existing neuronal circuitry. This process is not fixed but highly modulated,
revealing many intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms by which this performance can be optimized for a
given environment. The capacity for self-renewal, proliferation, migration, and multi-lineage potency of neural
stemcells (NSCs) underlines the necessity of controlling stemcell fate. In this context, the native and local microenvironment
plays a critical role, and the application of this highly organized architecture in the CNS has been
considered as a fundamental concept in the generation of neweffective therapeutic strategies in tissue engineering
approaches. The brain extracellularmatrix (ECM)is composed of biomacromolecules, including glycosaminoglycans,
proteoglycans, and glycoproteins that provide various biological actions through biophysical and
biochemical signaling pathways. Herein, we review predominantly the structure and function of thementioned
ECMcomposition and their regulatory impact on multiple and diversity of biological functions, including neural
regeneration, survival, migration, differentiation, and final destiny of NSCs. |