Analysis of neural stem cells by flow cytometry: cellular differentiation modifies patterns of MHC expression

Neural stem cells are currently considered very hopeful candidates for cell replacement therapy in neurodegenerative pathologies such as Parkinson’s disease. Here we show that different cell types derived from neurospheres amplified in vitro can be identified by FACS analysis relying solely on physical parameters (FSC/SSC) or autofluorescence. Additionally, after treatment with a panel of inflammatory cytokines, neurospheres and their differentiated progeny were shown to express MHC antigens which could potentially cause transplant rejection. Astrocytes expressed the highest levels of MHC. Hence removing such cells prior to transplantation could potentially optimise transplant survival.