The chemotactic effects of stromal cell derived factor-1 on neural stem cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effect of stromal cell derived factor-1 ( SDF-1) on the regulation of neural stem cells (NSCs) migration. Methods NSCs were obtained from the cerebral cortex of embryonic GFP transgenic rats. After cell cultured in vitro, CXCR4, specific receptor of SDF-1, was detected by fluorescence immunocytochemistry. Using Blind-Well chambers, the chemotactic effects of SDF-1 was investigated by counting the cells which had crossed 8μm pore membrane and adhered to the superficies inferia of the membrane when confronted with varying concentrations of SDF-1α (0, 1, 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 μg/L) and the agonist or antagonist of CXCR4. Results Neurospheres were formed, which expressed GFP and were capable of differentiating into neurons (β-tubulin + ) and astrocytes (GFAP + ) in media without mitogens. Fluorescence immunocytochemistry showed that CXCR4 and Nestin were co-expressed in NSCs. SDF-1 showed great chemotaxis to NSCs, and the amount of cells migrating through the membrane in 500 μg/L SDF-1 group was more than that in other groups (P < 0. 05). The number of cells crossing the membrane could be augmented and diminished by the agonist and antagonist of CXCR4 respectively. Conclusion SDF-1 binding to its specific receptor CXCR4 was capable of inducing NSCs migrating directionally to the source of SDF-1. Key words: Neural stem cells; Chemotaxis; Stromal cell derived factor-1