[Effect of Astragalus mongholicus on inducing differentiations of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into neurocyte-like cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the differentiations of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into neurocyte-like cells induced by Astragalus mongholicus.


METHODS
We isolated the nucleated cells from rat bone marrows through gradient centrifugation, and cultured and purified the MSCs. The non-serum-L-DMEM containing Astragalus mongholicus was used to induce the differentiations of the MSCs into neurcyte-like cells. The morphologic changes of the differentiated cells were observed. The expressions of the nestin, neuron specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by immuncytochemistrical staining. The expressions of the Wnt-1 gene and neurogenin-1 (Ngn-1)gene were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.


RESULTS
The subculturing cells were fibroblast-like, with higher reproductive activities than the primary cells. The Astragalus mongholicus induced morphology changes of the MSCs. The immunocytochemistrical staining of Nestin, NSE and GFAP were positive. The MSCs became neuron-like and gliocyte-like cells. The Astragalus mongholicus also enhanced the expression of Wnt-1 gene and Ngn-1 gene.


CONCLUSIONS
The MS(s can be isolated and cultured in vitro. and can differentiate into neurocyte-like and gliocyte-like cells. Wnt-1 gene and Ngn-1 gene play important regulatory roles during the differentiation of the rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to neurocyte-like cells.
Dong
Li-hua
LH
Departerment of Anatomy, West China School of Preclinical and Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Wang
Yong
Y
Lu
Chang-qing
CQ
Wang
Fan
F
D000818:Animals; D027883:Astragalus Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal