Insulin like growth factor-1 protects c17.2 neural stem cells against radiation-induced injury

AIM:To investigate the protective effect of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) against radiation-induced injury in c17.2 neural stem cells.METHODS:c17.2 neural stem cells were cultured in vitro and identified by nestin immunohistochemistry and X-gal staining.The IGF-1 adenoviral vector was transfected into c17.2 neural stem cells.The expression of IGF-1 was detected by IGF-1 immunohistochemistry.Necrosis and apoptosis of c17.2 neural stem cells were induced by radiation at doses of 4 Gy,6 Gy and were detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL test.The effect of IGF transfection on the degree of necrosis and apoptosis in these cells was also observed.RESULTS:c17.2 cells were identified by nestin and X-gal staining.Immunohistochemistry verified the expression of IGF-1 in the c17.2 neural stem cells transfected with adenoviral vector.At the same doses of radiation,the rates of apoptosis and necrosis in c17.2 neural stem cells transfected with IGF-1 were lower than those in the cells without IGF-1 adenoviral vector transfection.CONCLUSION:The rate of necrosis and apoptosis of c17.2 neural stem cells induced by radiation is decreased by transfection of IGF-1 adenoviral vector.IGF-1 shows a protective effect on c17.2 cells.