The in vitro myelin formation in neurospheres of human neural stem cells.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the culture conditions of human neural stem cells and to investigate the ultrastructure of neurospheres.


METHODS
The cells from the embryonic human cortices were mechanically dissociated. N2 medium was adapted to culture and expand the cells. The cells were identified by immunocytochemistry and EM was applied to examine the ultrastructure of neurospheres.


RESULTS
The neural stem cells from human embryonic brains were successfully cultured and formed typical neurospheres in suspension, and most of the cells expressed vimentin, which was a marker for neural progenitor cells, and the cells could differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. In vitro myelin formation in neurospheres were observed at an early stage of culture.


CONCLUSIONS
Human neural stem cells can be cultured from embryonic brains, can form the typical neurospheres in suspension in vitro and have the ability of myelinating, and may be potential source for transplantation in treating myelin disorders.
Yang
Li-ye
LY
Department of Neurosurgery, Chaozhou Central Hospital, Guangdong Province, Chaozhou 521021, China. yangleeyee@sina.com
Zheng
Jia-kun
JK
Liu
Xiang-ming
XM
Hui
Guo-zhen
GZ
Guo
Li-he
LH
D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003470:Culture Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D003470:Culture Media