Differentiation of rat embryonic neural stem cells promoted by co-cultured Schwann cells

OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors which induce differentiation of embryonic neural stem cells. METHODS: Rat embryonic neural stem cells were co-cultured with newborn rat Schwann cells in serum-free medium. The phenotype and specific-markers including tubulin-beta, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and galactorcerebroside (GalC), were demonstrated by phase contrast microscopy and double immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Overall, 80% +/- 5% of neural stem cells protruded several elongated processes and expressed tubulin-beta antigen at high levels, while 20 +/- 3% of them protruded several short processes and were GalC or GFAP positive. CONCLUSION: The factors secreted by Schwann cells could induce rat embryonic neural stem cell to differentiate.