2017-01-012024-05-14https://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/657570Abstract: Chitosan (CS) substrates are the excellent and convenient tools for 3D cell culture. In our previous studies, neural stem cells (NSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were respectively organized into 3D cell spheroids when cultured on CS substrates. Due to the positive effects of MSCs on the growth of NSCs in a 2D co-culture system that reported previously, the direct interaction of NSCs/MSCs in a 3D space is worthy of investigations. This proposed project is aimed to develop the 3D co-spheroids of NSCs/MSCs by using CS substrates. In the study, we are going to co-culture NSCs and MSCs on CS membranes and observe if they formed spheroids. To determine whether the direct interaction of co-cultured NSCs and MSCs resulted in the alteration of cellular properties, the expression of several marker genes for cell stemness, neurogenic activity, or cell differentiation was analyzed in NSCs and/or MSCs. The proliferation and survival rates of NSCs in the co-spheroids will be evaluated as well. Finally, we will employ the brain injury models of experimental animals (zebrafish/mouse) to demonstrate the therapeutic potential of NSC/MSC co-spheroids generated by CS substrates in neural repair.chitosan3D cell cultureneural stem cellsmesenchymal stem cellscell interactioncentral nervous system injury