Neuron-like differentiation of adult rat bone marrow stromal cells induced by transforming growth factor-beta and brain-derived neurotrophic factor

BACKGROUND:It has been demonstrated that transforming growth factor-β(TGF-β) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) can induce stem cell differentiation into neuron-like cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efficacy of TGF-βand BDNF at inducing the differentiation of adult rat bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs) into neuron-like cells,both in combination or alone. DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:A comparative observation experiment was performed at the Department of Orthopedics,First Affiliated Hospital of Liaoning Medical University between October 2007 and January 2008. MATERIALS:TGF-βand BDNF were purchased from Sigma,USA;mouse anti-rat neuron specific enolase,neurofilament and glial fibrillary acidic protein were purchased from Beijing HMHL Biochem Ltd.,China. METHODS:BMSCs were isolated from rats aged 4 weeks and incubated with TGF-β(1μg/L) and/or BDNF(50μg/mL). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Expression of neuron-specific enolase,neurofilament and glial fibrillary acidic protein were determined by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS:BMSCs differentiated into neuron-like cells following induction of TGF-βand BDNF, and expressed both neuron-specific enolase and neurofilament.The percent of positive cells was significantly greater in the combination group than those induced with TGF-βor BDNF alone(P<0.01). CONCLUSION:Treatment of BMSCs with a combination of TGF-βand BDNF induced differentiation into neuron-like cells,with the induction being significantly greater than with TGF-βor BDNF alone.