Effects of Schwann Cells on the generation and differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro

Objective:To explore the influencing factors of Schwann Cells in promoting neural stem cells to generate and differentiate in vitro.Methods:Neural stem cells were dissociated and cloned from the cerebral subventricular zone of embryo rats,Schwann Cells were also dissociated and purified simultaneously from the sciatic nerves of newborn rats.Then neural stem cells were cultured separately and Co-cultured with Schwann Cells.The expression of protein S-100,neurofilament protein (NF) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) of the neural stem cells were detected by immunofluorescence.The morphological changes of neural stem cells were examined with contrast phase microscope.Results:The co-cultured groups had more positive Cells of protein S-100 and NF,and less positive cells of GFAP than the group cultured separately. The nervous process of neuron-like cells in Co-cultured groups were obviously longer and more than that in separately cultured group.Conclusion:Schwann Cells can promote the generation and differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro.