Mild hypoxia enhances proliferation and multipotency of human neural stem cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neural stem cells (NSCs) represent an optimal tool for studies and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. We recently established a v-myc immortalized human NSC (IhNSC) line, which retains stem properties comparable to parental cells. Oxygen concentration is one of the most crucial environmental conditions for cell proliferation and differentiation both in vitro and in vivo. In the central nervous system, physiological concentrations of oxygen range from 0.55 to 8% oxygen. In particular, in the in the subventricular zone niche area, it's estimated to be 2.5 to 3%.

Methodology/principal findings

We investigated in vitro the effects of 1, 2.5, 5, and 20% oxygen concentrations on IhNSCs both during proliferation and differentiation. The highest proliferation rate, ev

SUBMITTER: Santilli G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2797394 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature