Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have demonstrated that the self-assembling nanofiber promotes neural progenitor cells proliferation and differentiation. 
OBJECTIVE: To study the differentiation of neural progenitor cells on self-assembling nanofiber gel containing IKVAV in two-dimensional culture system in vitro.
METHODS: Neural progenitor cells of SD neonatal rats were cultured in culture medium and examined by immunofluorescence. Amphipathic polypeptide solution containing 1% IKVAV-PA was trigger to form three-dimensional porous gel by the addition of DMEM/F12, and the structure was detected under transmission electron microscope. Neural progenitor cells were seeded on the surface of coverslips covered with 1% KVAV-PA or covered with 0.1 g/L polylysine, and the cell differentiation was determined by neurofilament and glial fibrillary acidic protein after cultivated 1, 3, 7 days respectively.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The cultured Nestin-positive cells were found, and they were able to differentiated into neurofilament-positive neurons and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive glial cells, confirming as neural progenitor cells; Transmission electron microscopy showed that the gel derived from amphipathic polypeptide solution containing IKVAV-PA, was composed of nanofiber network, their diameter ranging 7.0-8.0 nm and the length 100-1 500 nm. The ability of differentiation into neurons of the amphipathic polypeptide solution containing IKVAV-PA surpasses to the polylysine. The self-assembling nanofiber gel contained IKVAV in two-dimensional culture system may promote the differentiation of neural progenitor cells in vitro.