Survival and differentiation of neuroectodermal cells with stem cell properties at different oxygen levels

► Hypoxia does not affect the in vitro viability of non-committed stem-like cells. ► Hypoxia impairs the in vitro viability of committed neuronal progenitors. ► Oxygenation reduces the proliferation of stem cells implanted in the injured brain. ► Oxygenation permits neuronal differentiation of implanted progenitors.