The Long-Term Culture and Passaging of Human Neural Stem Cells

Objectives] To explore the culture conditions for human neural stem cells and to investigate the passaging method The cells from the embryonic human brain cortiex were mechanically dissociated Cells were cultured in N2 medium with bFGF and EGF ,and identified by immunocytochemistry Neural stem cells from abortive embryonic humans had been successfully cultured Typical neurospheres were developed in suspension, and majorities of the cells expressed vimentin and Musashil, which were the markers for neural stem cells The cells could differentiate into neurons and astrocytes Neural stem cells multiplied very slowly under the culture conditions, and the best expansion was achieved when the neurospheres were disected into several parts and the cell link was conserved when passaging [Conclusion] Human neural stem cells can be cultured from embryonic brains They formed the typical neurospheres in suspension in vitro, which serves as potential source for transplantation in treating CNS disorders in humans