Objective: To explore the culture and subculture conditions for glioma stem cells(GSCs) and to investigate the differentiation potential of GSCs.
Methods: The cells from human glioma were mechanically dissociated. Cells were cultured in N2 or B27 medium with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), and they were identified by immunocytochemistry.
Results: Glioma stem cells from human glioma have been successfully cultured. They formed typical neurospheres in suspension, and they could be cultured and passaged steadily in vitro. The majorities of the cells expressed vimentin and nestin, which were the markers for neural stem cells. They could differentiate into neurons and astrocytes, and express glial fibrillary acidic protein and beta III-tubulin respectively.
Conclusion: Human glioma stem cells could be cultured from gliomas in vitro, and they could differentiate into neurons and astrocytes, thus providing a basis for further studies.