[Human mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into neuron-like cells and show SMN protein expression].
OBJECTIVE
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.
Yang
Xiao-su
XS
Department of Neurology, XiangYa Hospital of Centersouth University, Changsha 410008, China. yanxia@public.cs.hn.cn
Wu
Hai-xiang
HX
Xiao
Bo
B
D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002469:Cell Separation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D055532:SMN Complex Proteins
D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D055532:SMN Complex Proteins; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2