Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into neuron-like cells induced by combination of two cytokines

Huang Jian-feng; Huang Ji-feng; Zhang Wei-cai

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2014.06.002

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can be induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells directional y. Accordingly, BMSCs can be used as seed cells theoretical y in constructing tissue-engineered peripheral nerves. <br> OBJECTIVE:Using combination of two cytokines to induce BMSCs differentiating into neuron-like cells directional y, and further to discusse its application in peripheral nerve injury. <br> METHODS:BMSCs were isolated and purificated from the bone marrow of Wistar rats by using the differential adherence method. Basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor were used to induce the BMSCs differentiating into neuron-like cells. The morphological change was observed and the neuronal specific markers were detected by immunohistochemistry technique. The morphological and immunohistological changes were also studied after the induce agent were removed. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:With presence of morphological and immunohistochemical features of nerve cells induced by neurotrophic factors, BMSCs exhibited two or more processes that were interconnected as a meshwork;cellnucleus and nucleus could be observed with strong light refraction of cytoplasm. After immunohistochemical staining, neuroln specific enolase, neurofilament protein and synaptophysin protein positive cells were detected. A great amount of cells reversed to their original fibroblast-like morphology, and the expression of the three above-mentioned proteins decreased as the induce agent withdrawn. Our study showed that BMSCs can be induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells, but the transdifferentiation is a short-time reversible phenomenon.