Isolation of neural stem cells from neural tissues using the neurosphere technique

Daniela Ferrari, Elena Binda, Lidia De Filippis, Angelo Vescovi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

This unit describes protocols for the derivation, characterization, and expansion of neural stem cell (NSC) lines from the adult mouse subvetricular zone (mNSCs), embryonic mouse brain and from the human fetal brain (hNSCs). NSCs can be isolated by enzymatic digestion of specific regions (NSCs niches) of the central nervous system (CNS) and grown in suspension. By using this methodology, NSCs form spherical clusters called neuropsheres, which are mechanically dissociated to a single-cell suspension and replated in the selective culture medium. Removal of growth factors and plating cells on an adherent substrate allows cells to differentiate into neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes, the main cell type of the CNS. Correct culturing of NSCs, according to this methodology, will allow cells to expand over 100 passages without alteration of cell karyotype, growth ability, and differentiation potential.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number2D.6
JournalCurrent Protocols in Stem Cell Biology
Issue numberSUPPL.15
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2010

Keywords

  • Clonal analysis
  • Neural stem cells (NSC)
  • Neurospheres
  • Subventricular zone (SVZ)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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