In Vitro Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Rat Bone Marrow into Nerve –Like Cells

摘要

Neuronal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has great potential for cellular therapy. This study was designed to investigate the differentiation potential of rat bone marrow (BM) derived MSCs into nerve- like cells after treatment with specific growth factors. Rat BM-MSCs are spindle like shaped cells has the ability to aggregate and generate colony forming unit such as fibroblast cells. The protocol that was used to direct the differentiation of MSCs into neuronal pathway consisted two steps: Step (1): the cells were cultured with Human recombinant epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. While Step (2): the aggregates of cells which were formed in step (1) were treated with brain derived ¨Cneurotophic factor and all-trans retinoic acid. The results showed that treated MSCs attached readily on the plate surface and a number of cells began to migrate from these clusters and occupied the surrounding area, and subsequently acquired neuronal shape. These cells showed positive response to neuronal specific markers [glial fibrilary acidic protein and beta III tubulin]. In conclusion, the protocol used in the present study directed the differentiation pathway of MSCs to neuronal cells and might open a new opportunity for clinical cell therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.