Abstract:

Objective  To explore the histocompatibility of chitosan fiber with trunk neural crest stem cells in vitro. Methods  Trunk neural crest stem cells were cultured on chitosan fiber using tissue culture of the neural tube in vitro. Immunofluoresecence was used to identify the trunk neural crest cells and observed histocompatibility. Results  Trunk neural crest stem cells were successfully isolated and cultured. The immuocytochemcal result showed that the cells were nestin-and P75-positive. Trunk neural crest stem cells grew through adhering to chitosan fiber after inoculation. Under an electon microscope, the spindle-shaped trunk neural crest stem cells were proliferated and migrated along the fiber. The cells arranged side by side or linked by heads and tails in processes. The ends of S-100 positive cells were flat and expanded, adhering to the fiber as claw-shaped pseudopodium. Conclusion  There is good histocompatibibity between chitosan fiber and trunk neural crest stem cells, and the later can differentiate into Schwann cells.

Key words: Stem cells; Cells, cultured; Histocompatibility; Chitosan fiber