Objective    To observe the effect of Notch-1 on expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC) of rats.     Methods    Rats were divided into active Notch plasmid (Notch

ICV

) group

  inactive Notch plasmid (Notch

VK

) group

and empty plasmid group. Notch

ICV

Notch

VK

and empty plasmid were transfected into OEC of rats. Immunofluorescence

Western blotting and RT-PCR were used respectively to detect the expression of NGF and NGF mRNA in OEC of rats.     Results    Immunofluorescence showed that the expression level of NGF was significantly higher in Notch

ICV

group than in Notch

VK

group and empty plasmid group (P0.05). RT-PCR demonstrated that the expression level of NGF mRNA was significantly higher in Notch

ICV

group (0.496 1±0.026 9) than in Notch

VK

group (0.244 5±0.013 4) and empty plasmid group (0.245 9±0.016 0) (P0.01). Western blotting displayed that the expression level of NGF was significantly higher in Notch

ICV

group (0.887 5±0.016 6) than in Notch

VK

group (0.686 2±0.059 2) and empty plasmid group (0.682 1±0.067 0) (P0.01).     Conclusion     Expression of NGF is up-regulated in Notch-1 transfected OEC

and Notch-1 can increase the synthesis of NGF in OEC.