A New Method for Differentiating Mesenchymal Stem Cells toward Neural Lineage

AIM: To investigate and find an efficient method for inducing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into neural differentiation. METHODS: MSCs from rat bone marrow were purified using adhesiveness property of stem cells, then characterized with flowcytometer. The isolated cells seeded in neural induction medium for 4 days, Morphology and immunocytochemistry were used to identify the neural differentiation grade. RESULTS: MSCs exhibited neural network after differentiation, instead of homogenous fibroblast-like morphology before differentiation. Flowcytometric analysis confirmed the identity of mesenchymal stem cells. more than 80 percent of all population were stained positive for Tau protein. CONCLUSION : Bone marrow MSCs have ectodermal differentiation capabilities. MSCs can differentiate into functional neuron-like cells, and may be used as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.