Using brain slice cultures of mouse brain to assess the effect of growth factors on differentiation of bone marrow derived stem cells.
Bone marrow derived stem cells (BMDSCs) have been reported to form neurons and supportive cells in the brain. We describe a technique that combines the simplicity of in vitro studies with many of the advantages of in vivo experiments. We cultured mouse brain slices, deposited GFP-tagged BMDSCs evenly distributed on their surfaces, and then added test factors to the culture medium. Addition of both SDF-1 and EGF resulted in morphological changes of BMDSC and in the induction of islet-1, a marker of neuroepithelial progenitors. We conclude that organotypic tissue culture (OTC) may allow us to detect the effects of exogenous factors on the differentiation of BMDSCs (or any other type of stem cells) in an environment that may resemble the CNS after brain injury. Once such factors have been identified they could be evaluated for tissue regeneration in more complex, whole animal models.
Bratincsák
András
A
National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA.
Lonyai
Anna
A
Shahar
Tal
T
Hansen
Arne
A
Tóth
Zsuzsanna E
ZE
Mezey
Eva
E
D000818:Animals; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D019743:Chemokines, CXC / Q000378:metabolism*; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D051379:Mice; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors; D046509:Tissue Culture Techniques
D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; C515256:Cxcl12 protein, mouse; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor