NRSF silencing induces neuronal differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that have the potential to differentiate into the neuronal cell lineage. Here, we describe the highly efficient and specific induction of cells with neuronal characteristics, without glial differentiation, from human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells by NRSF silencing. Cells that have the characteristics of MSCs were obtained from human bone marrow. Lentiviral vectors were used to deliver small interference NRSF RNA (siNRSF) into MSCs. After being infected with lentivirus containing siNRSF, MSCs were successfully induced to differentiate into neuronal cells, which exhibited neuron-like morphology and formed nissl bodies. These differentiated cells expressed multiple neuron-specific genes including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurogenin 1 (NGN1), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), synaptophysin (SYP), and neuron-specific growth-associated protein (SCG10), as well as expressing mature neuronal marker proteins, such as beta-tubulin III, NSE, microtubule-associated protein type 2 (MAP-2), and neurofilament-200 (NF-200), yet did not express the glial markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and oligodendrocyte transcription factor 2 (Olig2), as verified by immunofluorescence staining. The whole cell patch-clamp technique recorded TTX-sensitive Na(+) currents and action potential from these differentiated cells. Thus, our results demonstrate that NRSF silencing can activate some neuronal genes and induce neuronal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.
Yang
Yinxiang
Y
Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine, Beijing, China.
Li
Yanhua
Y
Lv
Yang
Y
Zhang
Sainan
S
Chen
Lin
L
Bai
Cixian
C
Nan
Xue
X
Yue
Wen
W
Pei
Xuetao
X
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D019070:Cell Lineage; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D016086:Lentivirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor
D015415:Biomarkers; D007473:Ion Channels; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D000099229:RE1-Silencing Transcription Factor