Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Because of the continual capcity of myelination, olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are preferred by numerous researchers. The first step is to gain a great quantity of purified OECs simply and economically. The following provides a feasible method to culture OECs.
OBJECTIVE: To explore a simple and pragmatic method to obtain sufficient OECs from neonatal rats by using cytarabine combined with nerve growth factor (NGF).
METHODS: After different attachment, DMEM/F12 culture solution including 10 mg/L cytarabine was used to culture OECs for 48 hours. Then, OECs were cultured in DMEM/F12 solution with 25 μg/L NGF and 1% fetal bovine serum. The conditions and growth degree of OECs were observed and P75 immunocytochemistry was used to estimate the cell purity.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: OECs were positive after P75 immunocytochemistry. They appeared to be bipolar or tripolar cells and their processes formed a network in vitro. The purity of OECs in good conditions reached about 95% on 7 days and 90% on 9 days. The method of using cytarabine combined with NGF can culture and purify OECs simply and effectively.