Effect of carbamylated erythropoietin on major histocompatibility complex expression and neural differentiation of human neural stem cells

Fu, Zhong-Qiu; Shao, Qing-Liang; Shen, Jing-Ling; Zhang, Yu-Jing; Zhao, Xia-Xia; Yao, Li

doi:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2010.01.016

« Previous Next »Journal of Neuroimmunology
Volume 221, Issue 1 , Pages 15-24, 15 April 2010

Effect of carbamylated erythropoietin on major histocompatibility complex expression and neural differentiation of human neural stem cells

Zhong-Qiu Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China
Qing-Liang Shao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China
Jing-Ling Shen
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China
Yu-Jing Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China
Xia-Xia Zhao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China
Li Yao
- Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150000, China
- Corresponding author. Department of Pediatrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, No. 246 Xuefu Road, Nangang District, Harbin 150000, China. Tel.: +86 451 8660 5665.

Received 31 August 2009; received in revised form 13 January 2010; accepted 25 January 2010. published online 17 February 2010.

Abstract

The expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on human neural stem cells (hNSCs) is tightly related to the fate of these cells in transplantation, therefore strategies to relieve rejection and promote graft survival are necessary to be applied. This study investigated the effect of carbamylated erythropoietin (CEPO) on MHC expression and differentiation of hNSCs with or without IFN-γ incubation. Results showed that low levels of MHC molecules were expressed on hNSCs and increased by IFN-γ. CEPO enhanced MHC-I antigens in both proliferative and differentiated hNSCs, but decreased MHC-II antigens in differentiated hNSCs and those cells exposed to IFN-γ. Furthermore, CEPO promoted neural differentiation of hNSCs and outgrowth of neurites. Western blot analysis revealed activation of Stat3, Stat5 and Akt during these processes. These results suggest that CEPO may have immunoregulatory function in hNSCs besides its neuroprotection.

Keywords: Carbamylated erythropoietin, Human neural stem cells, MHC antigens, Cytokines, Graft rejection, Neurite outgrowth