Isolation of NG2 proteoglycan expressing progenitor cells from the different regions in the central nervous system of adult rat

Objective To explore that if NG2 proteoglycan expressing progenitor cells (NG2 cells) can be separated from different regions of the adult rat central nervous system (CNS). Methods Nine different regions were dissected out from the CNS in adult female rats. The tissues were digested with papain and centrifuged by Optiprep step density gradient. From the resulting major fraction, the proliferating cells were isolated and cultured in Neurobasal A containing B27 supplement and basic fibroblast growth factor 2 (bFGF2), and then the nature of the cells were identified by double immunofluorescence stain. Results Using the above method, the neural stem cells (NSCs) like NG2 cells could be isolated from nine different regions in the CNS of adult rat. Conclusion The NSCs like cells also exist in the non-neurogenesis region in the CNS of adult rat, and can be cultured in vitro.