Safura Pournajaf
Despite the unique abilities of epidermal neural crest stem cells (EPI-NCSCs), still there are limitations in using these cells in regenerative therapies in the central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Fingolimod, has shown promising effects on the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of neural stem cells. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of different concentrations of fingolimod on the viability of EPI-NCSCs and the expression level of several cellular markers and trophic factors. Methods.The EPI-NCSCs were obtained from the bulge of hair follicles of adult rat whisker pads. Immunostaining against Nestin, DCX, SOX10, GFAP and β-III tubulin were carried out to verify EPI-NCSCs. 100 and 400nM concentrations treated cells after 24 and 120 hours were subjected to quantitative RT-PCR to evaluate the transcripts of neurotrophic factors and differentiation markers.