EFFECTS OF SCHWANN CELLS ON SURVIVAL AND DIFFERENTIATION OF NEURAL STEM CELLS in vitro / 解剖学报

ABSTRACT

Objective Whether Schwann cells could promote the survival and differentiation of neural stem cells was explored in vitro. Methods Neural stem cells were dissociated and cloned from the hippocampal tissue of newborn rats.Schwann cells were also dissociated and purified simultaneously from the sciatic nerves and brachial plexus nerves of newborn rats.Then Schwann cells and neural stem cells were Co cultured.The expression of nestin of the neural stem cells and the expression of neurofilament(NF) or glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)of the differentiated cells were detected by immunohistochemistry.The morphological changes of neural stem cells were examined with scanning electronic microscope. Results Compared with control group,the number of surviving neural stem cells and differentiated neuron like cells was significantly increased in Co cultured (Schwann cells add neural stem cells)groups.The primary processes of neuron like cells in Co cultured groups were obviously longer than that in control groups.The irregular convex or concave of the body of neural stem cells became plain and smooth in Co cultured group.Co cultured Schwann cells and neural stem cells have grown to touch together in following manner1.Body touch body;2.Body touch process;3.Process touch process.Conclusion\ Schwann cells can promote the survival and differentiation of co cultured neural stem cells in vitro.