Neuronal progenitor cells seeded in fibrin gel differentiate into ChAT-positive neuron.

Previous studies indicate that neural progenitor cells seeded in fibrin can differentiate into the glia cells and neurons. However, whether fibrin gel can induce differentiation of neural progenitor cells of spinal cord into motoneurons remains to be elucidated. In this study, we prepared a fibrin-based hybrid gel incorporated with laminin and fibronectin using rat fresh plasma as a crosslinking agent. The physical properties of this hybrid gel were examined with electron microscope, as well as its degradation and vascularization after subcutaneous transplantation with histological methods. Immunofluorescence stainings were used to study the proliferation and differentiation of the neural progenitor cells seeded in this 3D hybrid gel. The results indicate that such a hybrid gel possesses the unique physical characteristics, and the ability to promote both the proliferation and differentiation of the neural progenitor cells into neuron, including ChAT-positive motoneuron. Thus, it is suggested that this hybrid gel might be suitable for a mimetic tissue transplant for central nerve system injury, such as injured spinal cord repair.