Rawaa Al-mayyahi
Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine
The effects of anti-inflammatory drugs on the regenerative
properties of Neural Stem Cells (NSCs)
Corticosteroids (CSs) are drugs widely used for the treatment of paediatric clinical
conditions such respiratory distress syndrome. However, some studies strongly
suggest adverse neurological effects of these drugs such as reduced neurogenesis
(especially in the hippocampus), increased incidence of cerebral palsy, and impaired
developmental myelination. We have investigated the effects of CSs on a population
of cells called neural stem cells (NCSs) which play a major role in brain
development, giving rise to three main cell types of the central nervous system
(CNS)- neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The effects of CSs on these
NSCs are largely unknown. Three clinically relevant CSs [dexamethasone (DEX),
prednisone (PRED) and methylprednisolone (MPRED)] were applied to NSCs
(grown as both 2-D monolayers and 3-D neurospheres), at a range of
concentrations. The proliferation, differentiation and viability of NSCs were assessed
using immunocytochemical stainin