In vitro neural-like cell differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells:Co-culture versus chemical induction

Xu Li-li; Kuang Tao; Zhang Jia

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2013.45.001

Abstract：BACKGROUND: A variety of methods have been used to induce bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into nerve cells. However, the percent of differentiated nerve cells is different using varied induction methods for different time periods. Appropriate induction condition is essential for induced differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. <br> OBJECTIVE: To find a suitable and practical method of inducing bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into nerve cells in vitro by comparing chemical induction and co-culture methods. <br> METHODS: Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated by density gradient method and cultured by chemical induction and co-culture methods, respectively. Cell number, cell morphology, and specific cell surface markers were compared. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A large number of adherent cells with processes and radial growth, positive for neuron specific enolase staining were observed in both groups. Cells with typical nerve cell structure and a large number of processes were observed at 5 days in co-culture group, and the positive rate for neuron specific enolase staining was (50.82±2.46)%. Neural-like cells with processes were found at 7 days in chemical induction group, and the positive rate for neuron specific enolase staining was (43.56±1.74)%. Results showed that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were inducted into neural-like cells with more processes, which formed connection earlier cultured in co-culture compared with chemical induction. Moreover, the positive rate for neuron specific enolase staining was higher in co-culture group compared with chemical induction group.