Tropism mechanism of stem cells targeting injured brain tissues by stromal cell-derived factor-1.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the role and function of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) in stem cells migrating into injured brain area.


METHODS
Rat-derived nerve stem cells (NSCs) were isolated and cultured routinely. Transwell system was used to observe the migration ability of NSCs into injured nerve cells. Immunocytochemistry was used to explore the expression of chemotactic factor receptor-4 (CXCR-4) in NSCs. In vivo, we applied immunofluorescence technique to observe the migration of NSCs into injured brain area. Immunofluorescence technique and Western blotting were used to test expression level of SDF-1. After AMD3100 (a special chemical blocker) blocking CXCR-4, the migration ability of NSCs was tested in vivo and in vitro, respectively.


RESULTS
NSCs displayed specific tropism for injured nerve cells or traumatic brain area in vivo and in vitro. The expression level of SDF-1 in traumatic brain area increased remarkably and the expression level of CXCR-4 in the NSCs increased simultaneously. After AMD3100 blocking the expression of CXCR-4, the migration ability of NSCs decreased significantly both in vivo and in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
SDF-1 may play a key role in stem cells migrating into injured brain area through specially combining with CXCR-4.
Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Chinese People's Armed Police Force, Tianjin 300162, China.
Sai
S
Zhang
Xiao-zhi
XZ
Liu
Zhen-lin
ZL
Liu
Chong-zhi
CZ
Shang
Qun-liang
QL
Hu
D000818:Animals; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D018523:Tropism
D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4