title: Electrophysiological properties and synaptic function of mesenchymal stem cells during neurogenic differentiation - a mini-review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained considerable interest due to their potential use in cell therapies and tissue engineering. They have been reported to differentiate into various anchorage-dependent cell types, including bone, cartilage, and tendon. Our focus is on the differentiation of MSCs into neuron-like cells through the use of soluble chemical stimuli or specific growth factor supplements. The resulting cells appear to adopt neural phenotypes and express some typical neuronal markers, however, their electrophysiological properties and synaptic function remains unclear.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This mini-review illustrates how particular characteristics, electrophysiological properties, and synaptic functions of MSCs change during their neuronal differentiation. In particular we focus on changes in ion currents, ion channels, synaptic communication, and neurotransmitter release. We also highlight conflicting results, caused by inconsistencies in the experimental conditions used and in the methodologies adopted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that there is insufficient data and that further, carefully controlled investigations are required in order to ascertain whether MSC-derived neuron-like cells can exhibit the necessary neuronal functions to become clinically relevant for use in neural repairs.
authors.affiliation: Center of Regenerative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian - People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Lin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Changbin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Zhanfeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Cui
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D019636:Neurodegenerative Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D055495:Neurogenesis; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology* / Q000637:transplantation; D010641:Phenotype; D044968:Regenerative Medicine; D009435:Synaptic Transmission; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D007473:Ion Channels; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors