孔径及壳聚糖对多孔β-TCP中庆大霉素释放的影响

目的:观察不同孔径的多孔β-TCP分别复合庆大霉素及庆大霉素/壳聚糖后在体外庆大霉素的释放情况,研究多孔β-TCP孔径及壳聚糖对庆大霉素释放的影响。方法:利用冷冻干燥法使不同孔径的多孔β-TCP分别复合庆大霉素及庆大霉素/壳聚糖。比色法测定样本液内硫酸庆大霉素浓度,抑菌环实验测定样本液中庆大霉素的抗菌性。结果:(1)多孔β-TCP/庆大霉素中庆大霉素的释放时间分别为72h(187-300μm)、48h(300-375μm)、48h(375-500μm)、48h(500-750μm)、48h(750-830μm),孔径187-300μm组释放时间最长。(2)多孔β-TCP/庆大霉素/壳聚糖样本中庆大霉素的释放时间分别为12d(187-300μm)、12d(300-375μm)、12d(375-500μm)、13d(500-750μm)、12d(750-830μm),较β-TCP/庆大霉素中时间长,且在500-750μm上作用最显著。结论:(1)孔径对于庆大霉素释放具有一定的影响作用,187-300μm是延长多孔β-TCP/庆大霉素释放的最适孔径(在187-830μm内),但是时间太短。(2)壳聚糖能够显著延长庆大霉素在β-TCP上的释放时间,而在500-750μm孔径上作用最强。     

不同孔径CPC材料对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞增殖的影响

目的：评价不同大小孔径的磷酸钙骨水泥（Calcium phosphate cement,CPC）材料对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞（Bone mesenchymal stem cells,BMSCs）增殖能力的影响。方法：用盐析法制备三种不同孔径的（200-300μm、300-450μm、450-600μm）CPC材料,利用Micro-CT测量三种材料的平均孔径、孔隙率。无菌条件下取新生大鼠BMSCs原代培养并传代;将三组材料分别放置于24孔板内,每个材料接种5×104个细胞后,37℃、饱和湿度环境下静置培养。于接种后第1、4、7、14、21天用picogreen试剂盒测定细胞增值率;并在第14天、21天戊二醛固定材料并干燥喷金,扫描电镜观察材料表面细胞生长情况。结果：micro-CT测量结果显示：三种CPC材料孔径间相互连通,孔隙率均大于68%,平均孔径分别为235μm、422μm、505μm。细胞在三组材料上均呈对数增长趋势,在第14天到达平台期,在第1天三组细胞数量无明显差异,第4天450-600μm组细胞数量明显高于其余两组（P〈0.05）,在第7天细胞数量随孔径的增加而增加,3组间均有统计学差异（P〈0.05）,第14天和第21天200-300μm组细胞数量明显少于其余两组（P〈0.05）,300-450μm组和450-600μm组间无统计学差异（P〉0.05）。结论：孔径大小可影响大鼠BMSCs在多孔CPC材料上的增殖能力,随着孔径增大,细胞增殖力增高。本研究为进一步研究孔径结构对细胞的影响提供了实验依据。     

不同孔径CPC 材料对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞增殖的影响

目的:评价不同大小孔径的磷酸钙骨水泥(Calcium phosphate cement,CPC)材料对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(Bone mesenchymal stem cells,BMSCs)增殖能力的影响。方法:用盐析法制备三种不同孔径的(200-300μm、300-450μm、450-600μm)CPC材料,利用Micro-CT测量三种材料的平均孔径、孔隙率。无菌条件下取新生大鼠BMSCs原代培养并传代;将三组材料分别放置于24孔板内,每个材料接种5×104个细胞后,37℃、饱和湿度环境下静置培养。于接种后第1、4、7、14、21天用picogreen试剂盒测定细胞增值率;并在第14天、21天戊二醛固定材料并干燥喷金,扫描电镜观察材料表面细胞生长情况。结果:micro-CT测量结果显示:三种CPC材料孔径间相互连通,孔隙率均大于68%,平均孔径分别为235μm、422μm、505μm。细胞在三组材料上均呈对数增长趋势,在第14天到达平台期,在第1天三组细胞数量无明显差异,第4天450-600μm组细胞数量明显高于其余两组(P<0.05),在第7天细胞数量随孔径的增加而增加,3组间均有统计学差异(P<0.05),第14天和第21天200-300μm组细胞数量明显少于其余两组(P<0.05),300-450μm组和450-600μm组间无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:孔径大小可影响大鼠BMSCs在多孔CPC材料上的增殖能力,随着孔径增大,细胞增殖力增高。本研究为进一步研究孔径结构对细胞的影响提供了实验依据。     

一氧化氮促进体外培养大鼠脑室下区神经干细胞的分化

目的：探讨一氧化氮（NO）对新生大鼠体外培养的神经干细胞（NSCs）分化的作用。方法：采用常规方法分离新生大鼠脑室下区（SVZ）组织,进行NSCs体外培养。用DETA／NO作为NO供体,用L-NAME作为一氧化氮合酶（NOS）抑制剂。免疫荧光法检测NSCs标志物-巢蛋白（nestin）、神经元标志物-8Ⅲ型微管蛋白（Tuj-1）和星型胶质细胞标志物-胶质原纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）的表达,还检测了神经元型NOS的表达。用Greiss还原法检测培养液中总NO的浓度。结果：培养的神经球均为nestin阳性、BIdu阳性和nNOS阳性。NSCs和40μmol／L、50μmol／L、60μmol／LDEFA／N0共培养5d,实验组培养液中N0浓度较对照组显著增高（P〈0．01）,相应实验组分化的神经元数和星型胶质细胞数较对照组明显增加（P〈0．01和P〈0．05）。NSCs和100μmol／L、150μmol／L、200μmol／LL-NAME共培养5d,实验组培养液中NO浓度较对照组降低（P〈0．05）,相应实验组分化的神经元数和星型胶质细胞数也较对照组减少（P〈0．05）。结论：NO能直接促进大鼠SVZ体外培养的NSCs分化。     

PHBHHx膜表面亲水改性及其与神经干细胞生物相容性

对羟基丁酸-羟基己酸共聚酯(PHBHHx)膜进行表面改性,研究神经干细胞(NSCs)在改性后的PHBHHx膜表面的贴附、增殖及分化情况,为开发新型脑组织工程支架材料奠定基础。采用溶剂挥发法制备PHBHHx膜,扫描电镜观察其表面性状;分别通过脂肪酶处理,NaOH处理的方法对PHBHHx膜进行表面改性,测量接触角以检测膜表面亲水性。分离培养孕14.5 d大鼠胚胎大脑皮质NSCs,接种在表面改性后的PHBHHx膜表面进行体外培养,扫描电镜观察膜表面细胞形态,MTT法检测细胞活力,免疫细胞化学染色观察NSCs存活和分化情况。结果显示,与未处理的PHBHHx膜相比,脂肪酶、NaOH处理能够显著提高PHBHHx膜表面亲水性,增加NSCs在PHBHHx膜表面贴附数量;NSCs在改性后的PHBHHx膜表面能够良好地存活并分化为神经元和胶质细胞。结果提示PHBHHx膜表面碱处理通过提高材料表面亲水性和粗糙程度,增加其与NSCs的生物相容性,改性后的PHBHHx材料是一种非常有潜力的新型脑组织工程支架材料,有望在NSCs移植修复脑损伤中发挥作用。     

川芎嗪对体外培养的胎鼠神经干细胞增殖和分化的影响

目的：探讨川芎嗪（TMP）在体外神经干细胞（NSCs）增殖与分化中的作用。方法：原代提取孕14 d雌性大鼠的胎鼠大脑皮层分离培养,并作免疫荧光染色鉴定,取传代培养第3代的NSCs进行实验。实验分为对照组、β-巯基乙醇阳性对照组、TMP诱导组和TMP+EGTA组（n=4）。采用BrdU法和MTT法观察川芎嗪对NSCs增殖数量的影响,采用蛋白免疫印迹法检测NSCs的分化表达情况。结果：实验成功分离纯化原代NSCs,培养3~5 d可见部分神经球形成,具备典型的NSCs形态并表达NSCs特异抗原巢蛋白;BrdU法和MTT法结果均显示,与对照组和β-巯基乙醇阳性对照组相比,TMP组NSCs增殖数量明显增多（P<0.05）;蛋白免疫印迹结果显示,TMP组和TMP+EGTA组NSCs的神经元分化率明显增高,TMP+EGTA组分化率增高更明显（P<0.05）。结论：TMP能显著增强NSCs的增殖和神经元分化率。减少细胞外Ca²⁺可促进TMP诱导NSCs向神经元分化,Ca²⁺信号在TMP诱导NSCs向神经元分化过程中起重要作用。     

可控性释放NGF的京尼平- 壳聚糖微球的研究

目的:在体外研究京尼平-壳聚糖微球可控性释放具有生物活性的神经生长因子的可行性。方法:采用"乳化-化学交联"技术制备包埋神经生长因子的京尼平-壳聚糖微球,京尼平为化学交联剂;应用扫描电镜、粒径分布、体外缓释动力学及细胞生物活性分别对微球的性能进行研究。结果:京尼平-壳聚糖微球表面光滑,平均粒径在5.1~50.5μm之间;京尼平的浓度可影响微球在体外释放神经生长因子的速度,经高浓度京尼平交联的微球能减缓并持续释放神经生长因子;此外,从京尼平-壳聚糖微球释放的神经生长因子可维持PC12细胞的生物活性,提高NGF生物利用率。结论:京尼平-壳聚糖微球能有效缓释具有生物活性的NGF超过14天,为神经退行性疾病的治疗提供一种治疗策略。     

胶原蛋白-壳聚糖支架的构建及其与骨髓基质干细胞复合的实验研究

目的:构建一种组织工程神经支架,并观察体外培养的骨髓基质干细胞在其内部的生长情况,为后续种子细胞的移植提供阶段性实验数据.方法:以Ⅰ型胶原蛋白和壳聚糖为原料通过冷冻干燥技术制备神经支架,扫描电镜观察其内部结构,测量其孔径大小、孔隙率等指标.将体外培养的骨髓基质干细胞与Ⅰ型胶原蛋白-壳聚糖神经支架复合,共培养2天;扫描电镜观察细胞在支架内部的生长情况.结果:构建的神经支架均为圆柱状,内部为纵向平行排列的孔径均匀的微管样结构,细胞紧密贴附在支架微孔内壁上,细胞生长状况良好.结论:Ⅰ型胶原蛋白-壳聚糖支架具有良好的内部三维结构和生物相容性,可与细胞复合后用于修复周围神经缺损.     

应用多种水凝胶支架材料构建三维神经干细胞培养模型

该研究以鼠尾胶原、透明质酸以及海藻酸钠为主要成分,同时添加功能化的层粘连蛋白形成12种生物材料支架。应用大鼠神经干细胞(rat neural stem cells,r NSCs)体外培养,比较了支架的生物相容性和功能特点。结果显示,鼠尾胶原和透明质酸支架形成的三维多孔结构利于r NSCs的黏附,培养7 d后,1 mg/m L胶原组内的细胞活力更强,而含15%交联剂的层粘连蛋白–透明质酸支架内细胞与神经突触相互缠绕,展现出更明显的神经元样生理形态和特异性蛋白。1.5%海藻酸钠胶珠内的细胞呈球体生长,更适用于进行细胞的大规模动态培养。该研究构建的支架与r NSCs具有良好的生物相容性,利于其增殖和分化。因此,r NSCs分化后的神经元与水凝胶构成的三维培养模型,有望进一步应用于神经退行性疾病的研究和相关药物检测中。     

复合血管内皮细胞的不同孔径磷酸钙陶瓷体内血管化的比较研究

目的:比较不同孔径多孔β-TCP材料复合血管内皮细胞后的体内血管化,探索孔隙大小对人工骨材料体内血管形成的作用。方法:血管内皮细胞与连通径均为100μM,而孔径分别为200-300μM和300~400μM两种不同孔隙结构β-TCP材料复合后包埋入36只成年新西兰兔的腿部肌肉内,相同结构的空白β-TCP材料作对照,术后2、4、8周对材料进行组织学观察、免疫组织化学分析,计算新生血管密度。结果:复合血管内皮细胞的材料血管形成启动过程早于空白对照组,术后第4周血管管腔已基本成形,并基本稳定,至第8周开始血管充盈,微血管密度高于对照组(P0.05)。而不同孔径的材料比较发现,不论是复合血管内皮细胞的材料还是空白材料,孔径300~400μM的材料内新生血管密度显著显著高于孔径200-300μM材料(P0.05)。结论:材料孔隙较大的材料更有利于材料体内的血管化,而复合血管内皮细胞后,更加快了其血管化进程,这一研究结果提示材料孔隙间的连通是影响材料体内血管化的关键因素,该研究结论将为改善人工骨材料体内血管化的方法提供新的思路,同时也为骨移植材料的最优结构的选择提供一定的借鉴。     

NAAGS基因修饰神经干细胞在创伤性颅脑损伤治疗中的研究

目的：探讨移植NAAG合酶（NAAG synthetase,NAAGS）基因修饰的神经干细胞（Neural Stem Cells,NSCs）能否促进创伤性颅脑损伤大鼠神经功能的恢复。方法：利用电穿孔转染大鼠NSCs,通过脑立体定向仪分别将PBS（模型组）、NSCs（NSCs组）、转基因NSCs（NAAGS＋NSCs组）移植到创伤性颅脑损伤（Traumatic Brain Injury,TBI）大鼠局部损伤灶边缘,通过NSS评分评价移植后大鼠神经功能的变化以及用TUNEL法检测NSCs的凋亡情况,并采用放射免疫法分析脑组织中促炎因子水平。结果：Nss评分结果显示NAAGs＋NSCs组和NSCs组在第7、14、21天神经功能评分均低于模型组（P〈0．05）;NAAGS＋NSCs组在第14和21天神经功能评分低于NSCs组（P〈0．05）;在各时间点细胞移植组比模型组的神经细胞凋亡数明显减少;转基因NSCs移植能明显降低TBI脑组织中促炎因子水平。结论：转基因NSCs移植后可以合成NAAGS促进TBI大鼠神经功能的恢复。     

大鼠胚胎神经干细胞纹状体内移植后特性

观察大鼠胚胎神经干细胞移植入成年大鼠纹状体后的存活、迁移和分化状况。自14天胎鼠脑室下区分离获得神经干细胞,利用无血清培养基培养扩增并进行鉴定。经4～5代的扩增后,以BrdU标记的神经干细胞通过脑立体定位注射移植入成年大鼠纹状体内,然后分别于移植后2周、4周、6周和8周时做脑冰冻切片,通过免疫组织化学和免疫荧光方法检测移植细胞的数量、定位和分化情况。8周后移植细胞的检出率约16%;移植细胞向周围宿主组织有广泛的迁移表现,尤以沿着白质束向头尾方向的迁移最为显著,最远向后侧达到内囊;纹状体中移植细胞主要分化为神经元和星形胶质细胞。星形胶质细胞数量最多,主要位于移植区与宿主组织临界部位,而神经元处于移植区中央。培养的大鼠胚胎神经干细胞可以作为移植替代治疗神经退行性疾病研究的供体细胞源,而移植中的迁移现象值得注意。     

Chitosan nanofiber scaffold enhances hepatocyte adhesion and function

To enhance cell attachment and promote liver functions of hepatocytes cultured in bioreactors, a chitosan nanofiber scaffold was designed and prepared via electrospinning. Effects of the scaffold on hepatocyte adhesion, viability and function were then investigated. Data showed that hepatocytes on chitosan nanofiber scaffold exhibited better viability and tighter cell-substrate contact than cells on regular chitosan film. In addition, urea synthesis, albumin secretion and cytochrome P450 activity of hepatocytes on chitosan nanofiber scaffold were all 1.5 to 2 folds higher than the controls. Glycogen synthesis was also increased as compared with the controls. These results suggested the potential application of this chitosan nanofiber scaffold as a suitable substratum for hepatocyte culturing in bioreactors.     

The neuronal differentiation microenvironment is essential for spinal cord injury repair

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to substantial disability due to loss of motor function and sensation below the lesion. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are a promising strategy for SCI repair. However, NSCs rarely differentiate into neurons; they mostly differentiate into astrocytes because of the adverse microenvironment present after SCI. We have shown that myelin-associated inhibitors (MAIs) inhibited neuronal differentiation of NSCs. Given that MAIs activate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, we used a collagen scaffold-tethered anti-EGFR antibody to attenuate the inhibitory effects of MAIs and create a neuronal differentiation microenvironment for SCI repair. The collagen scaffold modified with anti-EGFR antibody prevented the inhibition of NSC neuronal differentiation by myelin. After transplantation into completely transected SCI animals, the scaffold-linked antibodies induced production of nascent neurons from endogenous and transplanted NSCs, which rebuilt the neuronal relay by forming connections with each other or host neurons to transmit electrophysiological signals and promote functional recovery. Thus, a scaffold-based strategy for rebuilding the neuronal differentiation microenvironment could be useful for SCI repair.     

Compatibility of neural stem cells with functionalized self-assembling peptide scaffold <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

In this study, we evaluated the behavior of neural stem cells (NSCs) using a new peptide hydrogel scaffold named IKVAVmx, which was made by mixing self-assembling peptide RADA16 and designer peptide RADA16-IKVAV solutions. NSCs derived from rat cerebral cortex were culture-expanded in neuorobasal medium and seeded on the RADA16 and IKVAVmx hydrogels. Cells could penetrate the hydrogels and form a 3D cellular network. Compared to pure RADA16 scaffold, we found that IKVAVmx scaffold significantly promoted cell proliferation and stimulated cell migration into the 3D scaffold. Moreover, Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis indicated that the differentiation ratio of neurons from NSCs in IKVAVmx scaffold was higher than that in pure RADA16 scaffold. These results suggested that this new hydrogel scaffold provided an ideal substrate for NSCs 3D culture and suggested its further application for neural tissue engineering.     

Neural stem cells transplanted into intact brains as neurospheres form solid grafts composed of neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursors

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are tissue-specific stem cells with self-renewal potential that can give rise to neurons and glia in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this study was to transplant NSCs as whole neurospheres into intact brain and assess the fate and phenotype of their progeny generated in vivo. We isolated NSCs from E14 foetal rat forebrains and cultured them in basic fibroblast and epidermal growth factor-supplemented serum-free medium in the form of neurospheres in vitro. Neurospheres were transplanted into the intact brains of 2 Wistar rats and after a period of 3 weeks, grafted brains were examined immunohistochemically. Neurospheres formed solid grafts that were found in the lateral ventricle and in the velum interpositum under the hippocampus. The majority of cells in the transplanted tissue were identified as beta-III-tubulin(+), NeuN(+), PanNF(+) and synaptophysin(+) neurons and were accumulated throughout the graft centre. GFAP(+) astrocytes were scattered throughout the entire graft and astrocyte processes delimited the outer and perivascular surfaces. A great number of NG2(+) oligodendrocyte precursors was detected. Nestin(+) endothelial cells were found to line capillaries growing in the transplant. These data indicate that nestin(+) NSCs prevailing in neurospheres differentiate following transplantation into nestin(-) neuronal and glial cells which confirms the multipotency of NSCs. Three weeks posttransplantation neuronal and astrocyte cells reached terminal differentiation (formation of synaptic vesicles and superficial and perivascular limiting membranes) while elements of oligodendroglial cell lineage remained immature. Grafting stem cells as non-dissociated neurospheres provide cells with favourable conditions which facilitate cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. However, in the intact brain, grafted neurosphere cells were not found to integrate with the brain parenchyma and formed a compact structure demarcated from its surroundings.     

Assessing the potential use of chitosan scaffolds for the sustained localized delivery of vitamin D

Vitamin D is a commonly used bone modulator in regenerative medicine. Several modalities have been explored for the delivery of vitamin D including nanoparticles and scaffold. The present study aimed to assess the potential use of a bio-degradable chitosan scaffold for the delivery of vitamin D. The objectives included fabrication of a bio-degradable chitosan scaffold, integration of vitamin D into the scaffold, characterization of the vitamin D integrated scaffold. Characterization was carried out using, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The structure of the scaffold was assessed by scanning electron microscopy. The scaffold was placed in phosphate buffer saline and the release duration of vitamin D was observed using UV spectrophotometry. Dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells were added to the scaffold to study the scaffold associated toxicity and the functionality of the scaffold released vitamin D. The vitamin D release period from the scaffold was estimated to be for 80 hrs. MTT assay of the stem cells was comparable to that of the control group (stem cells cultured in media) inferring that the scaffold is not toxic towards the stem cells. The positive alizarin red S staining, a higher expression of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and RunX2 confirmed the functional capability (osteogenic differentiation of the stem cells) of the released vitamin D. Based on the data from the present study, it can be inferred that chitosan scaffold can be used for the sustained delivery of functional vitamin D for 3–5 days.     

低氧促进神经干细胞向多巴胺能神经元分化

神经干细胞（neural stem cells,NSCs）作为具有多向分化潜能的神经前体细胞,被广泛应用于细胞移植等研究,而低氧不但调节干细胞的体外增殖,在干细胞分化中也具有重要的作用。本文着重探讨了低氧对NSCs分化的调节作用。采用Wistar孕大鼠（E13．5d）,分离胚胎中脑NSCs,加入无血清DMEM／F12培养液（含20ng／mL EGF、20ng／mL bFGF、1％ N2和B27）,3～5d后传代,细胞培养至第三代进行诱导分化,分别在低氧（3％O2）和常氧（20％O2）条件下诱导分化3d,然后在常氧条件下分化成熟5～7d（DMEM／F12含1％FBS、N2和B27）后进行检测。Nestin、NeuN以及TH免疫组织化学鉴定NSCs;流式细胞术分析测定NSCs向TH阳性神经元方向的分化;高效液相色谱测定细胞培养上清液中多巴胺（dopamine,DA）含量。结果显示,分离培养的NSCs均为nestin阳性细胞;低氧可明显促进NSCs向神经元方向的分化;TH阳性神经元比例在常氧和低氧组分别为（10．25±1．03）％和（19．88±1．44）％。NSCs诱导分化7d后,低氧组细胞培养上清液中DA浓度明显增加,约为常氧组的2倍（P〈0．05,n=8）。上述结果表明,3％低氧可促进NSCs向神经元方向,特别是向DA能神经元方向分化。这为NSCs应用于临床治疗帕金森病提供了基础。     

人参总皂苷在神经干细胞移植治疗帕金森模型小鼠中的体内作用

目的：观察预先给小鼠体内注射人参总皂苷（TSPG）后,对帕金森病（PD）模型的建立以及神经干细胞（NSCs）移植的影响。方法：实验分5组。1～4组常规采用1-甲基4苯基-1,2,3,6-四羟吡啶（MPTP）建立PD小鼠模型;第5组建模前体内注射TSPG,干预PD模型的建立。建模前后用行为学指标以及震颤麻痹评分标准对模型进行评判。然后取第9周人胚胎大脑皮层NSCs,经TSPG预处理后植入上述5组PD小鼠纹状体内。移植60d后脑切片,做酪氨酸羟化酶（TH）免疫组化染色检测NSCs的分化状况。结果：体内预先注射TSPG能有效降低由MVFP引起的神经细胞损伤;在神经干细胞移植后,与其余4组相比,其震颤麻痹、自发活动、记忆功能的改善更为明显,脑切片中的多巴胺（DA）能神经元数量以及与相邻神经元建立的联系更为丰富。结论：TSPG的体内用药,可以更好的降低神经系统损害。并在NSCs移植治疗PD中发挥更好的作用。     

Comparison of different culture modes for long-term expansion of neural stem cells

Neural stem cells (NSCs) can be cultured in two modes of suspension and monolayer in vitro. The cultured cells are different in both the ability to proliferate and heterogeneity. In order to find the appropriate methods for large-scale expansion of NSCs, we systematically compared the NSCs cultured in suspension with those cultured in monolayer. The forebrain tissue was removed from embryonic day 14 (E14) mice, then the tissue was dissociated into single-cell suspension by Accutase and mechanical trituration. The cells were cultured in both suspension and monolayer. The NSCs cultured in suspension and in monolayer were compared on viability, ability to proliferate and heterogeneity by fluorescent dyes, immunofluorescence and flow cytometry on DIV21 (21 days in vitro), DIV56 and DIV112, respectively. The results indicated that the NSCs cultured in both suspension and monolayer represented good viability in long-term cultures. But they displayed a distinct ability to proliferate in long-term cultures. The NSCs cultured in monolayer preceded those cultured in suspension on the ability to proliferate on DIV21 and DIV56, but no obvious difference on DIV112. The NSCs population cultured in suspension displayed more nestin-positive cells than those in monolayer during the whole process of culture. The NSCs population cultured in monolayer, however, displayed more βIII tubulin-positive cells than those in suspension in the same period. The suspension culture mode excels the monolayer culture mode for large-scale expansion of NSCs.