Dynamics of adult astrogenesis under proneurogenic conditions.Figure 4A Experimental scheme of pro-neurogenic BrdU birth-dating paradigm used in B-D. 8 week-old hGFAPeGFP mice had access to running wheels, controls were housed under standard conditions. All mice were administered with BrdU via drinking water for 12 days and BrdU- incorporation was analysed at day 12. B Representative images of BrdU-incorporating newly-generated cells in control and running hGFAPeGFP animals. BrdU+ cells (magenta) were assigned to distinct cell types: rNSCs [identified by their SOX2+ (cyan) cell bodies residing in the SGZ with a GFAP+ radial process (green)]; IPCs/neuroblasts [SOX2+ (cyan) nuclei located to the SGZ, DCX+ cells (white) in the SGZ and GZ, respectively], and astrocytes [SOX2+ cells (cyan) in the hilus, GZ, and ML]. Arrows mark newly generated neuronally committed cells (BrdU+/DCX+), while arrowheads indicate BrdU+ astrocytes (SOX2+). Data information: dotted lines border SGZ and GZ; scale bars = 50 µm. C Quantification of total numbers of generated cell types (BrdU+) per area in the DGs of control and runner animals. rNSCs: **** p < 0.0001; IPCs/neuroblasts: *** p = 0.0007; astrocytes: ** p = 0.0032; unpaired t-test. D Quantification of the percentages of generated cell types out of all generated cells (rNSCs, IPCs + neuroblasts, astrocytes) in the DGs of controls and runners; not significant, unpaired t-test. Data information: All data are represented as mean ± SEM; number of experimental animals (indicated by red dots): (C,D) n = 5 for controls, n = 6 for runners E Representative images of proliferating (MCM2+; magenta) cells of adult control and running hGFAPeGFP animals; rNSCs, IPCs (arrows) and astrocytes (arrowheads) were identified by criteria described in (B). F Quantification of total numbers of proliferating cell types (MCM2+) per area in the DG of controls and runners. rNSCs: ** p = 0.0052; IPCs: *** p = 0.0008; astrocytes: * p = 0.0210; unpaired t-test. Data information: All data are represented as mean ± SEM; number of experimental animals (indicated by red dots): ; (F) n = 4 for controls, n = 5 for runners dotted lines border SGZ and GZ; scale bars = 50 µm. G Experimental scheme of pro-neurogenic fate-mapping paradigm used in H, I. 8 week-old NestinCreERT2; GFP mice were intraperitonially injected with tamoxifen for five days (10 times, every 12 h). After tamoxifen induction, runners had access to running wheels, controls were housed in standard conditions for 12 days after tamoxifen injections. H Representative images of recombined (GFP+; green) cells of distinct cellular identities: rNSCs [SOX2+ (cyan) with a NESTIN+ radial process (white)], IPCs (SOX2+ nuclei in the SGZ; cyan), DCX+ neuroblasts in the SGZ and GZ (magenta), and astrocytes (SOX2+ cells in the hilus, GZ, and ML; cyan). Data information: dotted lines border SGZ and GZ; scale bars = 50 µm. I Quantification of the total numbers of recombined cell types (GFP+) per area in the DG of controls and runners; rNSC: p = 0.074; IPCs/neuroblasts: * p = 0.0460; astrocytes: p = 0.2314; unpaired t-test. Data information: All data are represented as mean ± SEM; number of experimental animals (indicated by red dots): (I) n = 3