Effect of VEGF on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells from the hippocampal gyrus of rat in vitro

AIM: To observe the effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) of rats in vitro.METHODS: NSCs isolated from the hippocampal gyrus of SD rats were primary cultured and subcultured,and then divided into two groups: (1) the cells in VEGF group were treated with 150 μg/L VEGF in the culture system,and VEGF was removed at the 7 th day;(2) control group (without VEGF treatment).The cellular morphology of two groups was observed by contrast phase microscope.Nestin and NF-200 expressing cells were detected via immunofluorescence method.The percentages of the immunostaining positive cells in each group at the 7 th day and at the 11 th day were determined.RESULTS: At the 7 th day,the percentage of nestin positive cells in VEGF group was 52.19%±7.95%,vs 29.26%±4.12% in control group (P<0.01).The percentage of NF positive cells in VEGF group was 22.33%±4.13%,vs 38.62%±5.31% in control group (P<0.01).At the 3 th day after VEGF was removed,the percentage of NF positive cells in VEGF group was 43.10%±3.70%,vs 30.56%±4.16% in control group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: VEGF stimulates the proliferation of neural stem cells and inhibits their differentiation.