In vitro culture and induced neuronal differentiation of rat embryonic spinal cord-derived neural stem cells

Objective To induce directional differentiation from spinal cord-derived neural stem cells(SNSCs)into neurocytes in the simulated microenvironment of development of embryonic spinal cord of rat after isolation and culture of SNSCs and to investigate the proliferation and differentiation of SNSCs in vitro.Methods SNSCs were isolated mechanically from rat embryonic(E10 to 11d)spinal cord under microscope.SNSCs were cultured and maintained in serum-free medium.Directional differentiation from SNSCs to neurocytes was induced by adding N4 supplement.The morphologic features of the differentiated cells were noted.Cultured and differentiated cells were identified by immunochemistry stain and t he mean differentiating percentages of the positive cells were calculated.Resul ts SNSCs isolated by the mechanical method under microscope were vigorous and pr oliferative,and could differentiate into neurons,astrocytes and oligodendrocyt es.Conclusion The mechanical method under microscope of isolating SNSCs is simp le and efficient to obtain a high percentage of neurons.N4 supplement can induc e SNSCs to differentiate into neurocytes.