Adenosine Promotes Proliferation of Neural Stem Cells in vitro

Objective To study the effects of adenosine on proliferation of neural stem cells in vitro. Methods Primary neural stem cells(NSCs) from newborn mice were cultured,neurospheres were observed,and immunocytochemical staining of characteristic protein and BrdU labeling were performed to identify NSCs and their proliferative properties.Adenosines with 0.4,2.0,10.0 μmol·L-1 were respectively added to the cultured NSCs,and at the same time,a vehicle control and positive control were set up.The morphology of NSCs was observed with the convert phase microscope,the neurosphere numbers were counted,and NSCs viability was determined with MTT assay in order to analyze the proliferation of NSCs by adenosine in vitro. Results A great deal of neurospheres were formed in cultured cells,the characteristic protein of NSCs and BrdU labeling were positive, which suggesting that the cultured cells were NSCs,and had the potential of self-renewal and self-proliferation.The number of neurosphere and the A values of 2.0 μmol·L-1 and 10.0 μmol·L-1 adenosine treated group,respectively were significantly higher than those of the vehicle control group. Conclusion Adenosine shows effects of promoting the proliferation of neural stem cells.