Objective      To investigate the effect of dendritic cells (DCs) coculture on the proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) in vitro

and explore the role of TrkC receptor and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) in the process.       Methods      According to whether to adopt the Transwell chamber

the DCs and the NSPCs were co-cultured and divided into separate culture (DCs/NSPCs group) and mixed culture (DCs+NSPCs group

without the use of Transwell chamber). ELISA was used to detect neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) protein in the supernatant in 48 h after culture in NSPCs+DCs group (mixed culture)

DCs group

NSPCs group

and NSPCs/DCs group (only cells separated by Transwell chamber). Tyrosine kinase receptors C (TrkC) proteins on the surface of NSPCs were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting analysis in NSPCs group

NSPCs/DCs+K252a group (TrKC blocker)

NSPCs+DCs group

and NSPCs+NT-3 group.       Results      The levels of NT-3 in the supernatant were significantly higher in 48 h after culture in NSPCs/DCs group than in DCs group and NSPCs group (P0.05). And microscopy showed significantly increases in the number and the average diameter of neurospheres in NSPCs/DCs group (P0.05). Immunofluorescence staining and Western blotting indicated that the expression level of TrkC were significantly higher in NSPCs/DCs group and NSPCs+DCs group than in NSPCs group and NSPCs/DCs+K252a group (P0.05).       Conclusion      DCs in coculture promotes NSPCs proliferation in vitro

which might be through TrkC-NT-3 signal pathway.