Combination of Media, Biomaterials, and Extracellular Matrix Proteins to Enhance the Differentiation of Neural Stem/Precursor Cells into Neurons

The study investigated how to promote the differentiation of neural stem/precursor cells (NSPCs) into neurons by using a combination of media, biomaterials, and extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. NSPCs from embryonic rat cerebral cortex were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium with 10% fetal bovine serum or its fractions for 7 days. It was found that serum molecules with a molecular weight under 100 kDa, particularly when combined with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), favored neuron differentiation. In contrast, whole serum components led to glial cell differentiation. The use of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) biomaterial and fibronectin matrix protein with the serum fraction increased the MAP2-positive percentage of immunoreactive ratio within migrated cells to over 85%. These results indicate that an environment conducive to neuronal differentiation can be engineered, which has potential applications in neuroscience research.