[Isolation and identification of brain tumor stem cells from human brain neuroepithelial tumors].
OBJECTIVE
To establish a simplified culture system for the isolation of brain tumor stem cells (BTSCs) from the tumors of human neuroepithelial tissue, to observe the growth and differentiation pattern of BTSCs, and to investigate their expression of the specific markers.


METHODS
Twenty-six patients with brain neuroepithelial tumors underwent tumor resection. Two pieces of tumor tissues were taken from each tumor to be dissociated, triturated into single cells in sterile DMEM-F12 medium, and then filtered. The tumor cells were seeded at a concentration of 200,000 viable cells per mL into serum-free DMEM-F12 medium simply supplemented with B27, human basic fibroblast growth factor (20 microg/L), human epidermal growth factor (20 microg /L), insulin (4 U/L), L-glutamine, penicillin and streptomycin. After the primary brain tumor spheres (BTSs) were generated, they were triturated again and passed in fresh medium. Limiting dilution assay was performed to observe the monoclone formation. 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation test was performed to observe the proliferation of the BTS. The BTSCs were cultured in mitogen-free DMEM-F12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum to observe their differentiation. Immunocytochemistry was used to examine the expression of CD133 and nestin, specific markers of BTSC, and the rate of CD133 positive cells.


RESULTS
Only a minority of subsets of cells from the tumors of neuroepithelial tissue had the capacity to survive, proliferate, and generate free-floating neurosphere-like BTSs in the simplified serum-free medium. These cells attached to the poly-L-lysine coated coverslips in the serum-supplemented medium and differentiated. The BTSCs were CD133 and nestin positive. The rate of CD133 positive cells in the tumor specimens was (21 +/- 6.2)% - (38 +/- 7.0)%.


CONCLUSIONS
A new simplified culture system for the isolation of BTSCs is established. The tumors of human neuroepithelial tissue contain CD133 and nestin positive tumor stem cells which can be isolated, proliferate and differentiate in vitro and give rise to brain tumor spheres. This tumorigenic subset may provide both a platform for brain tumor research and a target for clinical treatment.
Fang
Jia-sheng
JS
Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Deng
Yong-wen
YW
Li
Ming-chu
MC
Chen
Feng-Hua
FH
Wang
Yan-jin
YJ
Lu
Ming
M
Fang
Fang
F
Wu
Jun
J
Yang
Zhuan-yi
ZY
Zhou
Xang-yang
XY
Wang
Fei
F
Chen
Cheng
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018302:Neoplasms, Neuroepithelial / Q000473:pathology*; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000473:pathology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free