Propofol and remifentanil at moderate and high concentrations affect proliferation and differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells

Propofol and remifentanil alter intracellular Ca^2＋ concentration （[Ca^2＋]i） in neural stem/progen-itor cells by activating γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors and by reducing testosterone levels. However, whether this process affects neural stem/progenitor cell proliferation and differenti-ation remains unknown. In the present study, we applied propofol and remifentanil, alone or in combination, at low, moderate or high concentrations （1, 2–2.5 and 4–5 times the clinically effective blood drug concentration）, to neural stem/progenitor cells from the hippocampi of newborn rat pups. Low concentrations of propofol, remifentanil or both had no noticeable effect on cell proliferation or differentiation; however, moderate and high concentrations of propofol and/or remifentanil markedly suppressed neural stem/progenitor cell proliferation and differen-tiation, and induced a decrease in [Ca^2＋]i during the initial stage of neural stem/progenitor cell differentiation. We therefore propose that propofol and remifentanil interfere with the prolifer-ation and differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells by altering [Ca^2＋]i. Our ifndings suggest that propofol and/or remifentanil should be used with caution in pediatric anesthesia.

PROLIFERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION OF NEURAL STEMCELLS IN ADULT RATS AFTER CEREBRAL INFARCTION

Objective To investigate proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in adult rats after cerebral infarction. Methods Models of cerebral infarction in rats were made and the time-course expression of bromodeoxyuridine(BrdU), Musashi1, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) were determined by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining. BrdU and Musashi1 were used to mark dividing neural stem cells. GFAP and NeuN were used to mark differentiating neural stem cells. Results Compared with controls, the number of BrdU-labeled and BrdU-labeled with Musashi1-positive cells incre-ased strikingly 1 day after cerebral infarction; approximately 6 fold with a peak 7 days later; markedly decreased 14 days later, but was still elevated compared with that of controls; decling to the control level 28 days later. The number of BrdU-labeled with GFAP-positive cells nearly remained unchanged in the hippocampus after cerebral infarction. The nu-mber of BrdU-labeled with NeuN-positive cells increased strikingly 14 days after cerebral infarction, reached maximum peak in the hippocampus 28 days after cerebral infarction in rats. Conclusion Cerebral infarction stimulate proliferation of inherent neural stem cells and most proliferated neural stem cells differentiate into neurons.

Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor promotes the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in hypoxic environments

Previous research found that cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor(CDNF)has a protective effect on brain dopaminergic neurons,and CDNF is regarded as a promising therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases.However,the effects of CDNF on the proliferation,differentiation,and apoptosis of neural stem cells(NSCs),which are very sensitive to hypoxic environments,remain unknown.In this study,NSCs were extracted from the hippocampi of fetal rats and cultured with different concentrations of CDNF.The results showed that 200 nM CDNF was the optimal concentration for significantly increasing the viability of NSCs under non-hypoxic environmental conditions.Then,the cells were cultured with 200 nM CDNF under the hypoxic conditions of 90%N_2,5%CO_2,and 5%air for 6 hours.The results showed that CDNF significantly improved the viability of hypoxic NSCs and reduced apoptosis among hypoxic NSCs.The detection of markers showed that CDNF increased the differentiation of hypoxic NSCs into neurons and astrocytes.CDNF also reduced the expression level of Lin28 protein and increased the expression of Let-7 mRNA in NSCs,under hypoxic conditions.In conclusion,we determined that CDNF was able to reverse the adverse proliferation,differentiation,and apoptosis effects that normally affect NSCs in a hypoxic environment.Furthermore,the Lin28/Let-7 pathway may be involved in this regulated function of CDNF.The present study was approved by the Laboratory Animal Centre of Southeast University,China(approval No.20180924006)on September 24,2018.

Effects of olfactory ensheathing cells on the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells

BACKGROUND： Olfactory ensheathing cells can promote oriented differentiation and proliferation of neural stem cells by cell-secreted neural factors. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of olfactory ensheathing cells on the differentiation and proliferation of neural stem cells. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： Cytology was performed at the Department of Neurology, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China, from September 2007 to October 2008. MATERIALS： Mouse anti-nestin polyclonal antibody （Chemicon, USA）, mouse anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） IgG1, mouse anti-2＇, 3＇-cyclic nucleotide 3＇-phosphodiesterase （CNPase） IgG1, mouse anti-Tubulin Class-Ill IgG1 （Neo Markers, USA）, Avidin-labeled Cy3 （KPL, USA）, and goat anti-mouse IgGl： fluorescein isothiocyanate （FITC） （Serotec, UK） were used in this study. METHODS：Tissues were isolated from the embryonic olfactory bulb and subependymal region of Wistar rats. Serum-free DMEM/F12 culture media was used for co-culture experiments. Neural stem cells were incubated in serum-free or 5% fetal bovine serum-containing DMEM/F12 as controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： After 7 days of co-culture, neural stem cells and olfactory ensheathing cells underwent immunofluorescent staining for nestin, tubulin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and CNPase. RESULTS： Olfactory ensheathing cells promoted proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells into neuron-like cells, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The proportion of neuron-like cells was 78.2%, but the proportion of neurons in 5% fetal bovine serum DMEM/F12 was 48.3%. In the serum-free DMEM/F12, neural stem cells contracted, unevenly adhered to the glassware wall, or underwent apoptosis at 7 days. CONCLUSION： Olfactory ensheathing cells promote differentiation of neural stem cells mainly into neuron-like cells, and accelerate proliferation of neural stem cells. The outcome is better compared with serum-free medium or medium containing 5% fetal bovine serum.

Ipsilateral versus bilateral limb-training in promoting the proliferation and differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells following cerebral infarction in rats

We investigated the effects of ipsilateral versus bilateral limb-training on promotion of endogenous neural stem cells in the peripheral infarct zone and the corresponding cerebral region in the unaffected hemisphere of rats with cerebral infarction. Middle cerebral artery occlusion was induced in Wistar rats. The rat forelimb on the unaffected side was either wrapped up with tape to force the use of the paretic forelimb in rats or not braked to allow bilateral forelimbs to participate in training. Daily training consisted of mesh drum training, balance beam training, and stick rolling training for a total of 40 minutes, once per day. Control rats received no training. At 14 days after functional training, rats receiving bilateral limb-training exhibited milder neurological impairment than that in the ipsilateral limb-training group or the control group. The number of nestin/glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive and nestin/microtubule-associated protein 2-positive cells in the peripheral infarct zone and in the corresponding cerebral region in the unaffected hemisphere was significantly higher in rats receiving bilateral limb-training than in rats receiving ipsilateral limb-training. These data suggest that bilateral limb-training can promote the proliferation and differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells in the bilateral hemispheres after cerebral infarction and accelerate the recovery of neurologic function. In addition, bilateral limb-training produces better therapeutic effects than ipsilateral limb-training.

Comprehensive regulation of traditional Chinese medicine on proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells

Since the diccovery of neural stem cells(NSCs)in the embryonic and adult mammalian central nerous system,it provided novel ideas forneurogenesis as the potential of proliferation and differentiation of NSCs.One of the ways to promote the clinical application of neural stem cells(NSCs)is searching effective methods which regulate the proliferation and differentiation.This is also a problem urgently to be solved in medical field.Plenty of earlier studies have shown that traditional chinese medicine can promote the proliferation and differentiation of NSCs by regulating the related signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro.The reports of Chinese and foreign literatures on regulating the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells in recent ten years and their target and signaling pathways is analyzed in this review.The traditional chinese medicine regulate proliferation and differentiation of NSCs by the signaling pathways of Notch,PI3K/Akt,Wnt/β-catenin,and GFs.And,those signaling pathways have cross-talk in the regulation progress.Moreover,some traditional Chinese medicine,such as astragalus,has a variety of active ingredients to regulate proliferation and differentiation of NSCs through different signaling pathways.However,to accelerate the clinical application of neural stem cells,the studies aboutthe proliferation and differentiation of NSCs and Chinese medicine should be further deepened,the mechanism of multiple targets and the comprehensive regulation function of traditional Chinese medicine should be clarified.

Fetal bovine serum versus Chinese herbal formula Naoluoxintong serum supplementation for proliferation and differentiation of rat embryonic neural stem cells

BACKGROUND： How to induce endogenous neural stem cells （NSCs） to differentiate into needed neural cell types is a hot spot of current researches. OBJECTIVE： To compare differences between fetal bovine serum and Chinese herbal formula Naoluoxintong serum supplementation for inducing proliferation and differentiation in rat embryonic NSCs. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： An in vitro, serum pharmacology, comparative, observation study was performed from March to September in 2008 at the Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, College of Life Science in University of Science and Technology of China, the Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Acupuncture Foundation and Technology in Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Anhui Province Key Laboratory of R ＆ D of Chinese Medicine, and at the Level 3 Laboratory of Molecular Biology of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. MATERIALS： The Chinese herbal formula Naoluoxintong was produced by Radix Astragali, Radix Notoginseng, Rhizoma Chuanxiong, Scolopendra at Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Mouse anti-rat nestin, gliat fibrillary acidic protein, and galactocerebroside monoclonal antibodies, as well as rabbit anti-neuron-specific enolase polyclonal antibody were produced by Chemicon, Billerica, MA, USA. METHODS： Wistar rats aged 3 months were intragastrically infused with Naoluoxintong. Wistar rat embryonic NSCs （passage 8） were induced to proliferate and differentiate using 10% fetal bovine serum, 10% Naoluoxintong serum, and 10% rat serum. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Phenotypic changes in cultured cells were detected using phase contrast microscopy, and cell proliferation and differentiation were observed using immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS： Proliferation and differentiation of embryonic NSCs was induced by three different types of blood serum. Although the differentiation time course with Nao/uoxintongserum was later than with the other two methods, the differentiated cells were morphologically similar to mature neurons to a greater extent. CONCLUSION： Nao/uoxintong serum supplementation induced differentiation of NSCs into neuronal-like cells and stimulated neuronal maturation.

Metabolic and proteostatic differences in quiescent and active neural stem cells

Adult neural stem cells are neurogenesis progenitor cells that play an important role in neurogenesis.Therefore,neural regeneration may be a promising target for treatment of many neurological illnesses.The regenerative capacity of adult neural stem cells can be chara cterized by two states:quiescent and active.Quiescent adult neural stem cells are more stable and guarantee the quantity and quality of the adult neural stem cell pool.Active adult neural stem cells are chara cterized by rapid proliferation and differentiation into neurons which allow for integration into neural circuits.This review focuses on diffe rences between quiescent and active adult neural stem cells in nutrition metabolism and protein homeostasis.Furthermore,we discuss the physiological significance and underlying advantages of these diffe rences.Due to the limited number of adult neural stem cells studies,we refe rred to studies of embryonic adult neural stem cells or non-mammalian adult neural stem cells to evaluate specific mechanisms.

Effect of Angelica sinensis on neural stem cell proliferation in neonatal rats following intrauterine hypoxia

BACKGROUND： Angelica sinensis is a widely used herb in Chinese traditional medicine. It has been shown to improve hypoxia in embryonic rats and reduce nestin expression in neural stem cells, resulting in proliferation of neural stem cells. OBJECTIVE： To study the protective effect of Angelica on neural stem cell proliferation in neonatal rats after intrauterine hypoxia. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The randomized, controlled, experiment was performed at the Department of Histology and Embryology, Luzhou Medical College, China from July 2007 to January 2008. MATERIALS： Because gestational days 14-15 are a key stage in rat nervous system development, 21 healthy, pregnant Sprague Dawley rats （14 days after conception） were used for this study. Nestin monoclonal primary antibody was obtained from Chemicon, USA. Angelica parenteral solution （250 g/L） was obtained from Pharmaceutical Preparation Section, Second Affiliated Hospital of Wuhan University, China. METHODS： Rats were randomly divided into a control group （n = 5）, a hypoxia group （n = 8）, and an Angelica group （n = 8）. Saline （8 mL/kg） was injected into the caudal vein of rats in the hypoxia group once a day for seven consecutive days. Intrauterine hypotonic hypoxia was induced using 13% O2 for two hours per day on three consecutive days. Rats in the Angelica group received injections of Angelica parenteral solution （250 g/L）; all other protocols were the same as the hypoxia group. The control group procedures were identical to the hypoxia group, but under normal, non-hypoxic conditions. After birth, brain tissues were immediately obtained from neonatal rats and prepared for nestin immunohistochemistry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Nestin-positive cells in hippocampal CA3 area of neonatal rats in each group were quantified using image analysis to detect signal absorbance. RESULTS： The number of nestin-positive cells increased in the hippocampal CA3 area of neonatal rats in the hypoxia group. The number of nestin-positive cells was less in the Angelica group than in the hypoxia group. Integral absorbance of nestin-positive ceils in the hippocampal CA3 area of neonatal rats was significantly higher in the hypoxia group, compared with the control group （P 〈 0.05）. The integral absorbance of nestin positive cells was lower in the Angelica group, compared with the hypoxia group （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Intrauterine hypoxia, induced for 2 hours daily for three consecutive days, with an oxygen concentration of 13%, stimulated the proliferation of neural stem cells. Angelica injection has a protective effect on neural stem cells from neonatal rats following intrauterine hypoxia by decreasing proliferation of neural stem cells.

Growth and differentiation of neural stem cells in a three-dimensional collagen gel scaffold

Collagen protein is an ideal scaffold material for the transplantation of neural stem cells. In this study rat neural stern cells were seeded into a three-dimensional collagen gel scaffold, with suspension cultured neural stem cells being used as a control group. Neural stem cells, which were cultured in medium containing epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor, actively expanded and formed neurospheres in both culture groups. In serum-free medium conditions, the processes extended from neurospheres in the collagen gel group were much longer than those in the suspension culture group. Immunofluorescence staining showed that neurespheres cultured in collagen gels were stained positive for nestin and differentiated cells were stained positive for the neuronal marker βIII-tubulin, the astrocytic marker glial fibrillary acidic protein and the oligodendrocytic marker 2＇,3＇-cyclic nucleotide 3＇-phosphodiesterase. Compared with neurospheres cultured in suspension, the differentiation potential of neural stem cells cultured in collagen gels increased, with the formation of neurons at an early stage. Our results show that the three-dimensional collagen gel culture system is superior to suspension culture in the proliferation, differentiation and process outgrowth of neural stem cells.

Dorsal root ganglion neurons promote proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Preliminary animal experiments have confirmed that sensory nerve fibers promote osteoblast differentiation, but motor nerve fibers have no promotion effect. Whether sensory neurons pro- mote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells remains unclear. No results at the cellular level have been reported. In this study, dorsal root ganglion neurons （sensory neurons） from Sprague-Dawley fetal rats were co-cultured with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected with green fluorescent protein 3 weeks after osteo- genic differentiation in vitro, while osteoblasts derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells served as the control group. The rat dorsal root ganglion neurons promoted the prolifera- tion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived osteoblasts at B and 5 days of co-culture, as observed by fluorescence microscopy. The levels of mRNAs for osteogenic differentiation-re- lated factors （including alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteopontin and bone morphogenetic protein 2） in the co-culture group were higher than those in the control group, as detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Our findings indicate that dorsal root ganglion neurons promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, which pro- vides a theoretical basis for in vitro experiments aimed at constructing tissue-engineered bone.

miR-103-3p targets Ndel1 to regulate neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation

The regulation of adult neural stem cells(NSCs) is critical for lifelong neurogenesis. MicroRNAs(miRNAs) are a type of small, endogenous RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and influence signaling networks responsible for several cellular processes. In this study, mi R-103-3 p was transfected into neural stem cells derived from embryonic hippocampal neural stem cells. The results showed that mi R-103-3 p suppressed neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation, and promoted apoptosis. In addition, mi R-103-3 p negatively regulated Nud E neurodevelopment protein 1-like 1(Ndel1) expression by binding to the 3′ untranslated region of Ndel1. Transduction of neural stem cells with a lentiviral vector overexpressing Ndel1 significantly increased cell proliferation and differentiation, decreased neural stem cell apoptosis, and decreased protein expression levels of Wnt3 a, β-catenin, phosphor-GSK-3β, LEF1, c-myc, c-Jun, and cyclin D1, all members of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These findings suggest that Ndel1 is a novel mi R-103-3 p target and that mi R-103-3 p acts by suppressing neural stem cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis and differentiation. This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Nantong University, China(approval No. 20200826-003) on August 26, 2020.

Two outward potassium current types are expressed during the neural differentiation of neural stem cells

The electrophysiological properties of potassium ion channels are regarded as a basic index for determining the functional differentiation of neural stem cells. In this study, neural stem cells from the hippocampus of newborn rats were induced to differentiate with neurotrophic growth factor, and the electrophysiological properties of the voltage-gated potassium ion channels were observed. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the rapidly proliferating neural stem cells formed spheres in vitro that expressed high levels of nestin. The differentiated neurons were shown to express neuron-specific enolase. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the neural stem cells were actively dividing and the percentage of cells in the S ＋ G2/M phase was high. However, the ratio of cells in the S ＋ G2/M phase decreased obviously as differentiation proceeded. Whole-cell patch-clamp re- cordings revealed apparent changes in potassium ion currents as the neurons differentiated. The potassium ion currents consisted of one transient outward potassium ion current and one delayed rectifier potassium ion current, which were blocked by 4-aminopyridine and tetraethylammonium, respectively. The experimental findings indicate that neural stem cells from newborn rat hippo- campus could be cultured and induced to differentiate into functional neurons under defined condi- tions in vitro. The differentiated neurons expressed two types of outward potassium ion cur＇ents similar to those of mature neurons in vivo.

Apium graveolens L. accelerating differentiation of neural stem cells in vitro

To evaluate the action of Apium graveolens L. on the growth and differentiation of neural stem cells （NSCs）, cells culture and animal experiment were performed. NSCs were isolated from the striatum of SD rat embryo were cultured in the medium containing aqueous extract from Apium graveolens L（AAG）.and/or the serum derived from mice treated with Apium graveolens L （SAG）. The results show that AAG promoted the survival and growth of NSCs in low concentration. Apium graveolens L. leaves aqueous extract promoted the proliferation of NSCs in relatively high concentration. SAG significantly accelerated the differentiation of NSCs.

Electroacupuncture in the repair of spinal cord injury:inhibiting the Notch signaling pathway and promoting neural stem cell proliferation

Electroacupuncture for the treatment of spinal cord iniury has a good dinical curative effect, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. In our experiments, the spinal cord of adult Sprague-Daw- ley rats was clamped for 60 seconds. Dazhui （GV14） and Mingmen （GV4） acupoints of rats were subjected to electroacupuncture. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed that the expres- sion of serum inflammatory factors was apparently downregulated in rat models of spinal cord injury after electroacupuncture. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry results demonstrated that electroacupuncture contributed to the proliferation of neural stem cells in rat injured spinal cord, and suppressed their differentiation into astrocytes. Real-time quantitative PCR and western blot assays showed that electroacupuncture inhibited activation of the Notch signaling pathway induced by spinal cord injury. These findings indicate that electroacupuncture repaired the injured spinal cord by suppressing the Notch signaling pathway and promoting the proliferation of endogenous neural stem ceils.

Neuronal-like cell differentiation of non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells from C57BL/6J mice were sepa- rated and cultured using the ＂pour-off＂ method. Non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesen- chymal stem ceils developed colony-forming unit-fibroblasts, and could be expanded by supple- mentation with epidermal growth factor. Immunocytochemistry showed that the non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells exposed to basic fibroblast growth factor/epidermal growth factor/nerve growth factor expressed the neuron specific markers, neurofilament-200 and NeuN, in vitro. Non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells from 13-galactosidase transgenic mice were also transplanted into focal ischemic brain （right corpus striatum） of C57BL/6J mice. At 8 weeks, cells positive for LacZ and 13-galactosidase staining were observed in the ischemic tissues, and cells co-labeled with both 13-galactosidase and NeuN were seen by double immunohistochemical staining. These findings suggest that the non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells could differentiate into neuronal-like cells in vitro and in vivo.

Novel nanometer scaffolds regulate the biological behaviors of neural stem cells

Ideal tissue-engineered scaffold materials regulate proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of cells seeded on them by regulating gene expression. In this study, aligned and randomly oriented collagen nanofiber scaffolds were prepared using electronic spinning technology. Their diameters and appearance reached the standards of tissue-engineered nanometer scaffolds. The nanofiber scaffolds were characterized by a high swelling ratio, high porosity and good mechanical properties. The proliferation of spinal cord-derived neural stem cells on novel nanofiber scaffolds was obviously enhanced. The proportions of cells in the S and G2/M phases noticeably increased. Moreover, the proliferation rate of neural stem cells on the aligned collagen nanofiber scaffolds was high. The expression levels of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 were increased. Bcl-2 expression was significantly increased, but Bax and caspase-3 gene expressions were obviously decreased. There was no significant difference in the differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons on aligned and randomly oriented collagen nanofiber scaffolds. These results indicate that novel nanofiber scaffolds could promote the proliferation of spinal cord-derived neural stem cells and inhibit apoptosis without inducing differentiation. Nanofiber scaffolds regulate apoptosis and proliferation in neural stem cells by altering gene expression.

Citalopram increases the differentiation efficacy of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into neuronal-like cells

Several studies have demonstrated that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants can promote neuronal cell proliferation and enhance neuroplasticity both in vitro and in vivo. It is hypothesized that citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, can promote the neuronal differentiation of adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Citalopram strongly enhanced neuronal characteristics of the cells derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. The rate of cell death was decreased in citalopram-treated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells than in control cells in neurobasal medium. In addition, the cumulative population doubling level of the citalopram-treated cells was signiifcantly increased compared to that of control cells. Also BrdU incorporation was elevated in citalopram-treated cells. These ifndings suggest that citalopram can improve the neuronal-like cell differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by increasing cell proliferation and survival while maintaining their neuronal characteristics.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transplantation promotes the release of endogenous erythropoietin after ischemic stroke

This study investigated whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell（BMSC） transplantation protected ischemic cerebral injury by stimulating endogenous erythropoietin. The model of ischemic stroke was established in rats through transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Twenty-four hours later, 1 × 106 human BMSCs（h BMSCs） were injected into the tail vein. Fourteen days later, we found that h BMSCs promoted the release of endogenous erythropoietin in the ischemic region of rats. Simultaneously, 3 μg/d soluble erythropoietin receptor（s EPOR） was injected into the lateral ventricle, and on the next 13 consecutive days. s EPOR blocked the release of endogenous erythropoietin. The neurogenesis in the subventricular zone was less in the h BMSCs ＋ s EPOR group than in the h BMSCs ＋ heat-denatured s EPOR group. The adhesive-removal test result and the modified Neurological Severity Scores（m NSS） were lower in the h BMSCs ＋ s EPOR group than in the heat-denatured s EPOR group. The adhesive-removal test result and m NSS were similar between the h BMSCs ＋ heat-denatured s EPOR group and the h BMSCs ＋ s EPOR group. These findings confirm that BMSCs contribute to neurogenesis and improve neurological function by promoting the release of endogenous erythropoietin following ischemic stroke.

Role of brahma-related gene 1/brahma-associated factor subunits in neural stem/progenitor cells and related neural developmental disorders

Different fates of neural stem/progenitor cells(NSPCs)and their progeny are determined by the gene regulatory network,where a chromatin-remodeling complex affects synergy with other regulators.Here,we review recent research progress indicating that the BRG1/BRM-associated factor(BAF)complex plays an important role in NSPCs during neural development and neural developmental disorders.Several studies based on animal models have shown that mutations in the BAF complex may cause abnormal neural differentiation,which can also lead to various diseases in humans.We discussed BAF complex subunits and their main characteristics in NSPCs.With advances in studies of human pluripotent stem cells and the feasibility of driving their differentiation into NSPCs,we can now investigate the role of the BAF complex in regulating the balance between self-renewal and differentiation of NSPCs.Considering recent progress in these research areas,we suggest that three approaches should be used in investigations in the near future.Sequencing of whole human exome and genome-wide association studies suggest that mutations in the subunits of the BAF complex are related to neurodevelopmental disorders.More insight into the mechanism of BAF complex regulation in NSPCs during neural cell fate decisions and neurodevelopment may help in exploiting new methods for clinical applications.