ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effect of activated Notch signaling system on Schwann cells in vitro. Methods Schwann cells were isolated from sciatic nerves of adult SD rats. Recombinant rat jagged1/FC chimera, an activator of the Notch signaling system, and γ-secretase inhibitor (DAPT), an inhibitor of the Notch signaling system, were added into the culture medium respectively. The cells in the medium added with phosphate buffered saline were used as control group. Then the cultured cells were collected. NICD, as a mark of activated Notch system, was detected by immunofluorescence methods. MTT method was used to calculate the growth curve. The level of NGF in the cell supernatant was assayed by using ELISA. Results Schwann cells in recombinant rat jagged/FC chimera group grew better than those in the control groups. MTT method showed that activated Notch signaling significantly promote the proliferation of the cells(P ＜ 0.05). After cultured for 48 h, the amount of NGF in cell supernatant of recombinant rat jagged1/FC chimera group was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion When the Notch signaling system is activated, Schwann cells not only proliferate but also secret more NGF.