Human mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into neuron-like cells and show SMN protein expression

[Article in Chinese]

Yang XS, Wu HX, Xiao B.

Department of Neurology, XiangYa Hospital of Centersouth University, Changsha 410008, China. yanxia@public.cs.hn.cn

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mRNA and protein expression of SMN gene in neuron-like cells by inducing MSC to differentiate into neuron-like cells. METHODS: Human MSC (hMSC) were isolated and purified. Human MSC were treated with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) before inducing hMSC to differentiate into neuron-like cells with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The expression of NSE, NF, and SMN protein in neuron-like cells were detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of SMN mRNA were detected with reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS: Human MSC progressively assumed neuronal morphological characteristics after being induced for 3 hours. Cell bodies had long process contacting with each other. The neuronal marker of NSE and NF was positive in neuron-like cells. Both hMSC and neuron-like cells expressed the mRNA of SMN gene. Compared with hMSC the latter expressed highly the mRNA of SMN gene and it was significance (P < 0.01). SMN protein was only expressed in neuron-like cells.

CONCLUSIONS: Human MSC are able to differentiate into neuron-like cells with expressing the neuronal marker. Neuron-like cells can express highly the mRNA of SMN gene and express SMN protein.