Table 2.

Matrix components and properties involved in regulating NSC proliferation and differentiation in the developing embryonic nervous system

Category	Type	Notes & comments	References
ECM	Laminin	expressed in VZ, particularly α2 (e.g. laminin-211) and α4 chains, along the routes of migrating neurons and in the subplate; deletion of laminin α2 causes abnormalities in the composition and architecture of VZ	Loulier et al. 2009 [68]; Hunter et al. 1992 [69]
	Fibronectin	expression is observed at pial surface of VZ; during layer formation displays a speckled pattern throughout the VZ and along radial glia processes	Campos et al. 2004 [29]; Sheppard et al. 1995 [73]
	Collagen	collagen-IV is highly expressed in the VZ and the SVZ	Lathia et al. 2007 [61]; Campos et al. 2004 [29]
	Vitronectin	synergistically with Shh induces spinal motoneuron differentiation	Pons and Martí 2000 [77]
	Tenascin	distinct tenascin-R domains inhibit NSC proliferation and promote astrocytic differentiation; tenascin-C shifts NSC differentiation toward glial fate; lack of tenascin-C causes a delay of EGFR acquisition in NSC	Liao et al. 2008 [80]; Garcion et al. 2004 [82]
	Agrin	high expression in early neuronal development on the pial surface of VZ, high expression in the brain	Martin et al. 1997 [83];
	Nidogen	nidogen-1 is expressed on pial surface of VZ	Kohfeldt et al. 1998 [88]; Lathia et al. 2007 [61]
	Perlecan	expression on the pial surface of VZ; modulates FGF and Hedghog signaling in the fly	Lathia et al. 2007 [61]; Park et al. 2003 [63]
Mechanotransduction	Material stiffness	decreased stiffness promotes neuroectodermal specification and neuronal differentiation	Engler et al. 2006 [133]; Saha et al. 2008 [134]
	Tensile forces	mechanical factors modulating neural phenotype and morphogenesis	Van Essen 1997 [138]; Hayashi and Carthew 2004 [139]
	Actin	the transition from radial glia to intermediate neural progenitor cells depends on F-actin organization; actin cooperates with calmodulin in neuronal differentiation of cortical NSCs	Saffary & Xie 2011 [142]; Yu et al. 2011 [143]