Induced human bone marrow stromal cells differentiate into neural cells by bFGF and cocultured with olfactory ensheathing cells

• Published in: Current stem cell research & therapy Vol. 9; no. 4; p. 291
• Main Authors: Ni, Wen-Fei, Wu, Ai-Min, Li, Qing-Long, Huang, Zhe-Yu, Xu, Hua-Zi, Yin, Li-Hui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United Arab Emirates 01.07.2014
• Subjects: Cell Differentiation; Cell Shape; Cells, Cultured; Coculture Techniques; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 - physiology; Gene Expression; Humans; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - physiology; Neurons - physiology; Olfactory Mucosa - cytology
• ISSN: 2212-3946
• DOI: 10.2174/1574888X09666140115114350

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were considered as one of the strongest candidates for cell transplantations to treat neurological disorders. Previously, we had showed that BMSCs isolated from rats could be induced to differentiate into neural cells being cocultured with olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs). In this study, we further demonstrated the neural differentiation of human BMSCs (hBMSCs) when cocultured with OECs and daily supplement of bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor). Transwell culture dishes with a 0.4-mm pore size were used to coculture hBMSCs and OECs. At different time points (12h, 24h, 3d, 7d, 14d), the induced hBMSCs were morphologically observed and performed immunocytofluorescence and quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). The number of neural markers-positive cells significantly increased after coculture, and gene expression of NSE, β-III-tubulin, MAP2, GFAP also dramatically increased. Our study suggested that hBMSCs could be induced into neuron-like cells under conditions of coculture with OECs and daily supplement of bFGF. The differentiated autologous hBMSCs had a great potential for transplantation to treat CNS lesion.