The fate of neural stem/progenitor cells exposed to different concentrations of methylprednisolone

The fate of neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) is very important in combination therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI). Methylprednisolone (MP) is the main anti-inflammatory drug currently used in the acute phase of SCI. The present study evaluated the differentiation patterns of NS/PCs following exposure to different concentrations of MP. NS/PCs were isolated from ganglionic eminence of mouse embryos. After the second passage, the obtained cells were treated with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 μg/ml of MP. The differentiation of the cells in to immature neuroblasts, mature neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes was assessedusing immunofluorescence assay. Exposure of the NS/PCs to different concentrations of MP increased the production of astrocytes, neuroblasts, and oligodendrocytes, Whileit didn’t have any considerable effect on the production of more mature neurons. In conclusion, MP can change the fate of NS/PCs toward the generation of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. This effect should be considered in MP+NS/PCs combination therapy strategies.