Catechin hydrate induces GFAP expression and astrocyte branch elongation in rat neural stem cells

Neural stem cells (NSCs) are multipotent cells capable of self-renewal and differentiate into diverse cell types within the central nervous system, including neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Catechin hydrate (CH) belongs to the flavonoid family and can be found in green tea and grape seeds. In the present study, we have explored the effect of CH on NSC fate at the molecular level. CH increased both mRNA and protein expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein during NSC differentiation. However, the number of astrocytes was not significantly altered. CH enhanced leukemia inhibitory factor, and bone morphogenetic protein mRNA levels and increased phosphorylation of STAT3 and SMAD1/5/8 in differentiated cells. CH increased fibroblastic growth factor 2 mRNA levels and induced the formation of thin and elongated branches in differentiating astrocytes. These results suggest that although CH does not increase astrocytogenesis, it contributes to regulating astrocytes to become longer.