ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect of oxygen glucose deprivation-reperfusion (OGD-R) in astrocytes overexpressing endothelin (ET)-1 on the proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs). Methods OGD-R models of negative control astrocytes (C6-Mock) and astrocytes over-expressing ET-1 (C6-ET-1) were constructed. Transwell co-culture system of astrocytes and NSPCs was established. Morphologic observation and identification of the astrocytes and primary NSPCs were performed. The cells were divided into four groups: C6-Mock+NSPCs, OGD-R+C6-Mock+NSPCs, C6-ET-1+NSPCs and OGD-R+C6-ET-1+NSPCs groups and co-cultured for 0, 24, 48 and 72 h respectively. The diameter of neurosphere was measured in each group. Results In the C6-Mock and C6-ET-1 cells, type Ⅰ astrocytes in fibrous morphology were observed. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was expressed in the cytoplasm of these two types of cells. Primary NSPCs were positive for nestin staining. After co-culture for 48 and 72 h, the neurosphere diameter in the OGD-R+C6-Mock+NSPCs group was significantly greater than that in the C6-Mock+NSPCs group. The neurosphere diameter in the OGD-R+C6-ET-1+NSPCs group was considerably greater than that in the C6-ET-1+NSPCs group. The neurosphere diameter in the OGD-R+C6-ET-1+NSPCs group was significantly greater compared with that in the OGD-R+C6-Mock+NSPCs group (all P<0.05). Conclusions OGD-R astrocytes can promote the proliferation of NSPCs. ET-1 over-expression further accelerates the proliferation of NSPCs.