Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are defined as self-renewing, multipotent progenitor cells that give rise to neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes.Using single-cell-based on-chip cell-cultivation system, we analyzed the process of neural differentiation from the NSC and examined the effects of BDNF, which is known to enhance neuronal differentiation.The NSCs were obtained from the striatum of E12.5 nestin-promoter GFP transgenic mice and an individual cell was placed into 32 pairs of agar microchambers connected by microchannels.The NSCs were differentiated by media containing FBS, retinoic acid and forskolin in the presence or absence of BDNF and cell adhesion, neurite outgrowth were examined by recording a series of phase-contrast images and immunocytochemistry for neural marker, TuJ1.We observed that the NSCs attached the microchamber and a part of cells exhibited neuron-like morphology and extended some neurites along microchannels.BDNF increased the rate of neurite outgrowth.It, however, failed to affect cell adhesion.Thus, using this system, we could address the process of neural differentiation from the NSCs in a single-cell-based level and could demonstrate that BDNF had the ability to promote the neural differentiation. [J Physiol Sci. 2006;56 Suppl:S171]
