The Effects of Co-Culture of Embryonic Stem Cells with Neural Stem Cells on Differentiation

Researching the technology for in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into neural lineages is very important in developmental biology, regenerative medicine, and cell therapy. Thus, studies on in vitro differentiation of ESCs into neural lineages by co-culture are expected to improve our understanding of this process. A co-culture system has long been used to study interactions between cell populations, improve culture efficiency, and establish synthetic interactions between populations. In this study, we investigated the effect of a co-culture of ESCs with neural stem cells (NSCs) in two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions. Furthermore, we examined the effect of an NSC-derived conditioned medium (CM) on ESC differentiation. OG2-ESCs lost the specific morphology of colonies and Oct4-GFP when co-cultured with NSC. Additionally, real-time PCR analysis showed that ESCs co-cultured with NSCs expressed higher levels of ectoderm markers Pax6 and Sox1 under both co-culture conditions. However, the differentiation efficiency of CM was lower than that of the non-conditioned medium. Collectively, our results show that co-culture with NSCs promotes the differentiation of ESCs into the ectoderm.     

Immunohistochemical Detection of Neural Stem Cells and Glioblastoma Stem Cells in the Subventricular Zone of Glioblastoma Patients

Glioblastoma usually recurs after therapy consisting of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Recurrence is at least partly caused by glioblastoma stem cells (GSCs) that are maintained in intratumoral hypoxic peri-arteriolar microenvironments, or niches, in a slowly dividing state that renders GSCs resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Because the subventricular zone (SVZ) is a major niche for neural stem cells (NSCs) in the brain, we investigated whether GSCs are present in the SVZ at distance from the glioblastoma tumor. We characterized the SVZ of brains of seven glioblastoma patients using fluorescence immunohistochemistry and image analysis. NSCs were identified by CD133 and SOX2 but not CD9 expression, whereas GSCs were positive for all three biomarkers. NSCs were present in all seven samples and GSCs in six out of seven samples. The SVZ in all samples were hypoxic and expressed the same relevant chemokines and their receptors as GSC niches in glioblastoma tumors: stromal-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), C-X-C receptor type 4 (CXCR4), osteopontin, and CD44. In conclusion, in glioblastoma patients, GSCs are present at distance from the glioblastoma tumor in the SVZ. These findings suggest that GSCs in the SVZ niche are protected against radiotherapy and chemotherapy and protected against surgical resection due to their distant localization and thus may contribute to tumor recurrence after therapy.     

胶质细胞的神经干细胞/祖细胞特性

近年来,关于胶质细胞有许多令人惊奇的发现。其中最令人感兴趣的是部分胶质细胞在体内外都表现出神经千细胞／祖细胞的特性,在适当条件下能分化成神经元、星形胶质细胞和／或少突胶质细胞。不仅存在于非哺乳类脊椎动物整个生命周期的放射胶质显示出这一特性,存在于成年哺乳动物脑室下区和颗粒下层的星形胶质细胞也是如此。在体外培养中,部分胶质细胞具有形成多潜能神经球的能力。在体内,胶质细胞充当前驱细胞时的命运受到细胞间相互作用、细胞因子、血脉系统、胞外基质以及基膜等所构建的微环境的影响。胶质细胞的这些特性将对神经修复产生深远影响。     

神经干细胞的研究现状及运用前景

近年来的研究表明胚胎期和成年期动物的神经组织及人脑中可以分离出神经干细胞.神经干细胞能不断增殖并且具有分化成神经元、星型胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞的能力.神经干细胞的这种特性为中枢神经系统退行性病变和损伤的治疗打下了基础.对神经干细胞的分布、生物学特性、鉴定、增殖与分化及其治疗中枢神经系统疾病中的应用前景进行了综述.     

神经干细胞克隆球中干细胞的比例变化

为了定量研究神经干细胞体外产生的克隆结构“neurospheres”中干细胞的比例变化,利用无血清培养、细胞克隆培养技术及免疫细胞化学染色方法,观察不同代数神经干细胞克隆球中nestin阳性细胞的比例。发现随着传代次数增加,克隆球中nestin阳性细胞的比例也在显著减少(P<0.001)。提示在体外培养体系中,形成的克隆球具有异质性,并且在不同代数间神经干细胞的比例也显著不同。     

神经干细胞研究进展

神经干细胞(neural stem cells, NSCs)是中枢神经系统中保持分裂和分化潜能的细胞,对它的研究和应用已成为近年来脑科学研究的一个重要领域.神经干细胞体外培养技术的建立提供了对其进行研究的有力手段.目前的研究主要集中于神经干细胞在脑中的起源、分布及在中枢神经系统疾病治疗中的应用等方面.     

神经干细胞在缺血缺氧性脑病中的治疗前景

过去认为神经元受损伤后难以再生.近年发现神经干细胞(neuralstemcells,NSC)主要存在于胚胎和成熟个体的中枢神经系统(CNS)中,具有增殖和分化的潜能.NSC成为神经学科的热点课题,是神经发育和疾病研究的重要平台,作为新生神经细胞的“种子”,它为治疗缺血缺氧性脑病提供了新策略,尤其是中枢神经细胞的治疗性再生和基因治疗.对NSC的发育、组织学特点、增殖分化的调控及治疗前景进行了阐述.     

神经干细胞的分化影响其对肝细胞生长因子的趋化性迁移

神经干细胞（neural stem cells,NSCs）的定向迁移对神经系统发育和损伤后修复至关重要,但NSCs的定向迁移与NSCs的分化之间的关系鲜有研究。该研究以此为切入点,以肝细胞生长因子（hepatocyte growth factor,HGF）为趋化因子,神经干细胞系C17．2为研究对象,首先,建立了不同分化阶段的NSCs（分别分化0,12,24,72h）的分化模型;其次,运用Boyden chamber和Dunn chamber研究了不同分化状态下的NSCs对HGF的趋化性迁移。Boyden chamber结果显示：下室加入HGF后,分化12,24h的NSCs迁移至膜下方的细胞数目显著高于分化0,72h的NSCs;Dunn chamber结果显示：分化12,24h的NSCs迁移效率显著高于分化0,72h的NSCs。这些结果表明,NSCs的分化影响其对HGF的趋化性迁移,为在临床上更有效地利用NSCs治疗各种神经系统退行性疾病提供了理论依据。     

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。     

A cGMP-applicable Expansion Method for Aggregates of Human Neural Stem and Progenitor Cells Derived From Pluripotent Stem Cells or Fetal Brain Tissue

A cell expansion technique to amass large numbers of cells from a single specimen for research experiments and clinical trials would greatly benefit the stem cell community. Many current expansion methods are laborious and costly, and those involving complete dissociation may cause several stem and progenitor cell types to undergo differentiation or early senescence. To overcome these problems, we have developed an automated mechanical passaging method referred to as “chopping” that is simple and inexpensive. This technique avoids chemical or enzymatic dissociation into single cells and instead allows for the large-scale expansion of suspended, spheroid cultures that maintain constant cell/cell contact. The chopping method has primarily been used for fetal brain-derived neural progenitor cells or neurospheres, and has recently been published for use with neural stem cells derived from embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells. The procedure involves seeding neurospheres onto a tissue culture Petri dish and subsequently passing a sharp, sterile blade through the cells effectively automating the tedious process of manually mechanically dissociating each sphere. Suspending cells in culture provides a favorable surface area-to-volume ratio; as over 500,000 cells can be grown within a single neurosphere of less than 0.5 mm in diameter. In one T175 flask, over 50 million cells can grow in suspension cultures compared to only 15 million in adherent cultures. Importantly, the chopping procedure has been used under current good manufacturing practice (cGMP), permitting mass quantity production of clinical-grade cell products.     

GABA促进成年小鼠SVZ来源的神经干细胞增殖

通过Alamarblue、BrdU掺入免疫荧光双标法、流式细胞术检测了抑制性神经递质GABA（γ-aminobutyricacid）对成年小鼠脑室下区（sub ventricular zone,SVZ）来源的神经干细胞（neu—ral stem cell,NSC）增殖的影响。结果表明,成体NSCs被不同浓度的GABA和BICC干预后,GABA组增殖较空白对照组明显增强。BICC组的增殖则减弱;GABA组作用后增殖活跃期的NSCs比例明显高于空白对照组,BICC组增殖活跃期的NSCs比例明显降低沪〈O．05）;GABA作用组的处于s—G2期的细胞比例较对照组显著增加（P〈0．05）。该研究表明,GABA能促进成年小鼠SVZ区来源的NSCs进入增殖活跃期从而促进其增殖。     

神经干细胞迁移的研究进展

神经干细胞的定向迁移是胚胎神经系统发育的先决条件,同时在成体组织的许多生理、病理过程中也起着重要作用;研究发现,许多神经退行性疾病都与神经干细胞迁移的缺陷相关。近年来,越来越多的证据表明,无论是内源性的还是移植的神经干细胞都有向大脑损伤部位迁移的特性,显示出神经干细胞用于神经再生及损伤修复治疗的潜能。该文着重在神经干细胞的基本特性以及神经干细胞定向迁移的细胞与分子机制研究等方面进行了综述。     

从人胚胎干细胞畸胎瘤中有效获取间充质干细胞和神经前体细胞

通过人胚胎干细胞(human embryonic stem cells,hESC)体外分化方法和畸胎瘤形成可以分化获得多种成体细胞．但目前尚不清楚是否可以从hESCs畸胎瘤中分离某些特异性细胞．通过体外筛选方法,有效地从hESCs畸胎瘤中分离出神经前体细胞(neural progenitor cells,NPCs)和间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs)．这种hESCs畸胎瘤来源的NPCs和MSCs与体内神经前体细胞和间充质干细胞有着相似的分子标记和特性,并具有进一步的分化潜能——分别可以诱导成为神经元、神经胶质细胞、脂肪细胞和骨骼细胞等．根据人胚胎干细胞畸胎瘤中含有不同分化阶段的外胚层、中胚层和内胚层的组织或细胞,认为人胚胎干细胞畸胎瘤可以作为另一个细胞来源以获取多种(包括人胚胎干细胞体外分化难以得到的)各种前体/干细胞和终末分化细胞．     

HCMV感染抑制人海马神经干细胞分化

研究HCMV感染对体外培养的人海马源性神经干细胞(Neural stem cells,NSCs)分化的影响。体外分离、培养人海马NSCs,应用免疫荧光方法检测其NSCs标记物-巢蛋白(Nestin)的表达。10%胎牛血清诱导NSCs贴壁分化,同时用MOI为5的HCMV AD169株感染NSCs,7d后使用激光共聚焦显微镜免疫荧光方法检测Nestin、神经胶质纤维酸性蛋白(GFAP)和HCMV即刻早期蛋白(IE)的表达,计算阳性细胞比率。本实验所培养的细胞(4～6代)95±8%表达Nestin;分化诱导7d后,感染组86±12%细胞表达IE,未感染组和感染组Nestin阳性率分别为50±19%和93±10%(t=6.03,P<0.01),GFAP阳性细胞率分别为81±11%和55±17%(t=3.77,P<0.01)。以上结果表明分化过程中的NSCs是HCMV的容许细胞;HCMV感染可以抑制NSCs的分化。     

惊厥后大鼠海马神经再生与凋亡的动态变化

探讨惊厥持续状态(status convulsion,SC)后大鼠海马神经再生与凋亡的动态变化。建立成年Wistar鼠30minSC模型,在SC后1天至56天的6个时间点上处死动物,处死前1天均腹腔注射5-溴2-脱氧尿嘧啶核苷(5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine,BrdU);采用免疫组织化学方法动态检测BrdU、nestin的表达,确定神经干细胞增殖水平;双重荧光染色标记nestin/TUNEL,确定新生神经干细胞存活时间。与对照组相比,BrdU阳性细胞数目于SC后第7天在CA1区达增殖高峰,28天降至正常水平;于SC后第28天在齿状回达增殖高峰,56天降至正常水平;在SC后第7天,CA3区有大量的BrdU阳性细胞;BrdU和nestin阳性细胞数目无统计学差异。在SC后的前3天,CA1区新增殖的神经细胞呈TUNEL阳性;齿状回新增殖细胞始终表现TUNEL阴性。上述结果提示:SC后能激活自体神经干细胞原位增殖,并且部分新生细胞向损伤区域迁移。     

胚胎干细胞凋亡的研究进展

胚胎干细胞单细胞悬浮培养时会出现凋亡,而当聚集生长或在饲养层细胞上培养时则能抑制凋亡的发生.整合素参与介导胚胎干细胞与饲养层细胞之间的粘附,而钙依赖粘附素则参与介导胚胎干细胞之间的粘附.凋亡的发生与细胞色素C从线粒体的漏出密切相关,Bcl 2家族可以调节线粒体释放细胞色素C,因而参与凋亡的调控过程.     

人胚胎干细胞定向分化为神经前体细胞

采用单层贴壁分化的方法在无血清条件下诱导同源饲养层培养的人胚胎干细胞定向分化,得到了高比例的神经前体细胞(97.5±0.83)%(P<0.05)。这些神经前体细胞具有分化为神经元、星形胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞的能力。在长期的传代培养中发现,随着培养时间的延长,nestin阳性的神经前体细胞比例下降,同时发育能力也发生了变化。在传代培养的早期,神经前体细胞发育为神经元的比例很高,几乎没有胶质细胞分化出来。随着培养时间的延长,胶质细胞的比例逐渐上升。这与体内神经系统的发育过程非常相似。进一步研究发现具有bHLH(basic helix-loop-helix)结构域的转录因子neurogenein2(Ngn2)和Olig2可能在这一变化中起重要作用。因此,人胚胎干细胞来源的神经前体细胞能够模拟体内神经发育的模式,为在体外研究人的神经发育和再生医学奠定了基础。