A surreal illustration of neural cells branching like tree roots, representing the long-lasting impact of floor plate cells on brain development.

Brain Cells' Surprising Second Life: How 'Floor Plate' Cells Shape Your Nervous System

Samir D’Costa in Science & Nature August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Groundbreaking research reveals that specialized 'floor plate' cells, once thought to disappear after development, persist in the adult brain, influencing key functions."

For years, the central nervous system (CNS) was seen as a static structure after development. Key players like 'floor plate' cells, essential for guiding embryonic neural growth, were believed to simply vanish post-birth. But what if these assumptions were wrong? What if these cells had a surprising second act?

A recent study has turned this concept on its head, revealing that floor plate cells don't disappear. Instead, they transform and persist in the adult brain, specifically within the ependymal layer—a lining of cells around the brain's ventricles and central canal of the spinal cord. This groundbreaking discovery suggests that these cells, marked by the gene Nato3 (also known as Ferd3l), continue to influence brain function in ways we are only beginning to understand.

This article explores these exciting new findings, breaking down the complex science into accessible insights. We'll uncover the identity of these cells, where they're located, and the potential implications for brain health and future treatments. It's a story of cellular persistence, challenging what we thought we knew about the adult brain.

The Discovery: Nato3 Cells in the Adult CNS

A surreal illustration of neural cells branching like tree roots, representing the long-lasting impact of floor plate cells on brain development.

The research, led by Sophie Khazanov, Yael Paz, and Nissim Ben-Arie, utilized a sophisticated mouse model. These mice were genetically engineered so that the Nato3 gene, normally active in floor plate cells, drove the expression of a LacZ reporter—a tool that highlights where the gene is active by producing a blue stain. This allowed the researchers to track Nato3-expressing cells throughout the mouse's lifespan.

What they found was astonishing: Nato3-expressing cells, the descendants of embryonic floor plate cells, were present in specific regions of the adult CNS. These regions included the walls of the third and fourth ventricles, the cerebral aqueduct connecting them, the central canal of the spinal cord, and a unique structure called the subcommissural organ. Here are the common features across these locations:

Midline Position: All Nato3-positive cells are located along the midline structures of the brain and spinal cord.
Ependymal Type: These cells are a type of ependymal cell, which means they line the fluid-filled spaces of the CNS.
CSF Contact: Like their embryonic counterparts, these cells contact the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that bathes the brain and spinal cord.

This unique positioning suggests that these Nato3 cells are strategically placed to influence the CSF environment and potentially communicate with other brain regions. Moreover, the presence of these cells in the adult brain challenges the previous notion that floor plate cells disappear after development.

Why This Matters: Implications and Future Directions

This discovery opens up exciting new avenues of research. Understanding the precise functions of these persistent floor plate cells could have significant implications for treating neurological disorders, promoting brain repair, and even enhancing cognitive function. Are they involved in maintaining a healthy brain environment? Can they be harnessed to stimulate neurogenesis – the creation of new neurons – in damaged areas? These are just some of the questions scientists are now eager to answer. Ultimately, the story of the floor plate cell's second life is a testament to the brain's remarkable plasticity and the potential for new breakthroughs in neuroscience.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1387/ijdb.160232nb, Alternate LINK

Title: Floor Plate Descendants In The Ependyma Of The Adult Mouse Central Nervous System

Subject: Developmental Biology

Journal: The International Journal of Developmental Biology

Publisher: UPV/EHU Press

Authors: Sophie Khazanov, Yael Paz, Amit Hefetz, Ben J. Gonzales, Yaara Netser, Abed A. Mansour, Nissim Ben-Arie

Published: 2017-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What did the recent study discover about 'floor plate' cells in the adult brain?

The study revealed that 'floor plate' cells, which were previously believed to disappear after embryonic development, actually persist in the adult brain. These cells transform and are found in the ependymal layer, which lines the brain's ventricles and the central canal of the spinal cord. They express the gene Nato3, suggesting they continue to play a role in adult brain function.

Where exactly are the Nato3-expressing cells located in the adult central nervous system?

The Nato3-expressing cells, derived from embryonic 'floor plate' cells, are found in specific regions of the adult central nervous system. These locations include the walls of the third and fourth ventricles, the cerebral aqueduct, the central canal of the spinal cord, and the subcommissural organ. A common feature across these locations is that all Nato3-positive cells are located along the midline structures of the brain and spinal cord, are a type of ependymal cell, and contact the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

What potential implications does the discovery of persistent 'floor plate' cells expressing Nato3 have for future research?

The persistence of 'floor plate' cells and their expression of Nato3 in the adult brain suggests they could be involved in maintaining a healthy brain environment. Researchers are exploring whether they can be harnessed to stimulate neurogenesis in damaged areas or if they play a role in treating neurological disorders, promoting brain repair, and even enhancing cognitive function. The positioning of Nato3 cells suggests that they influence the cerebrospinal fluid environment and potentially communicate with other brain regions.

How does the positioning of Nato3 cells influence their potential function within the adult brain?

The cells are strategically positioned along the midline structures of the brain and spinal cord. Being ependymal cells, they line the fluid-filled spaces of the CNS and contact the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This unique positioning suggests that Nato3 cells can influence the CSF environment and potentially communicate with other brain regions. This contrasts with the earlier belief that 'floor plate' cells disappeared after development, highlighting the brain's plasticity and the potential for new neuroscience breakthroughs.

How did the researchers track 'floor plate' cells expressing the Nato3 gene in the adult brain?

The scientists tracked the Nato3 gene's activity using a mouse model genetically engineered to express a LacZ reporter wherever Nato3 was active. This allowed them to observe that Nato3-expressing cells, which are descendants of embryonic 'floor plate' cells, were present in the adult CNS. This challenges the traditional view that these cells disappear after development, providing insights into their ongoing roles and suggesting new avenues for therapeutic interventions. This method allowed precise tracking and identification of these cells throughout the mouse's lifespan.