ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a method for culturing and identifying neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from the subventricular zone (SVZ) in adult mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NSCs were isolated from the SVZ of adult mouse brain and cultured in serum-free medium. Cell cloning and BrdU incorporation were performed to identify the self-renewal and proliferative capacity of the NSCs. Fluorescence immunocytochemistry was used to examine the expressions of the NSC markers nestin and SOX2, neuronal marker Tuj1, astrocyte marker GFAP and oligodendrocyte marker NG2. The expressions of nestin and SOX2 were further examined by Western blotting and RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>NSCs with self-renewal and proliferative capacity were obtained from the SVZ of adult mice and grown as floating neurospheres. The NSCs expressed nestin and SOX2 and could differentiated into Tuj1-positive neurons, GFAP-positive astrocytes and NG2-positive oligodendrocytes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This method allows simple and stable culture of NSCs from the SVZ of adult mice.</p>