Proliferative effect of neonatal mouse brain extracts on neural stem cells in vitro

AIM: To discover specific neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation-promoting factor, which will contribute to study on development of nervous system and treatment of nervous system diseases. METHODS: The extracts of forebrain, midbrain,afterbrain and cerebellum of neonatal mice were prepared, and the NSCs of newborn mice were cultured in vitro. Neurospheres were observed, immunocytochemical staining of characteristic protein, nestin, and MTT assay were performed to identify NSCs and their proliferative properties. RESULTS: A great deal of neurospheres were formed in the presence of the extracts of afterbrain and cerebellum, which were positive for characteristic protein （Nestin） of NSC showed by immunocytochemical staining. CONCLUSION: The afterbrain and cerebellum extracts can increase the total number of NSCs isolated from newborn mice in vitro in a dose-dependent manner.