Time-sensitive effects of hypoxia on differentiation of neural stem cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells in vitro

Abstract

Objectives:

Oxygen tension is an important component of microenvironment for the differentiation of embryonic stem cells including neural lineage. However, the comprehensive influence of hypoxia on neural differentiation during embryonic neural development has not yet been examined.

Methods:

In this study, we investigated the effect of low oxygen levels (5% O₂), or hypoxia, in two stages of neural differentiation in vitro: (1) inducing mouse embryonic stem cells into neural stem cells (NSCs); and then (2) inducing NSCs into neural progenitor cells in neurospheres.

Results:

In the first stage, NSCs generation was reduced under hypoxia. Less mature morphological changes (including neural marker) of NSCs were observed, suggesting the prevention of early differentiation under hypoxic conditions. Thus undifferentiated stem cells were maintained in this stage. However, in the second stage, hypoxia induced neural differentiation in neurospheres. Nevertheless, non-neural progenitor cell formation, such as mesoderm progenitor cell lines or epithelial cell lines, was restricted by low oxygen tension.

Discussions:

Our results demonstrate that hypoxia is essential for regulating neural differentiation and show the different effects on NSC differentiation dependent on the time-course of NSC development. In the early stage of NSCs induction, hypoxia inhibits neural differentiation and maintains the undifferentiated state; in the later stage of NSCs induction, hypoxia induces neural differentiation. Our study may contribute to the development of new insights for expansion and control of neural differentiation.     

Wnt3a影响神经干细胞分化的体外研究

目的探讨Wnt3a对胚胎大鼠海马神经干细胞（NSCs）体外分化的影响。方法采用机械分离、无血清传代培养法从胎鼠海马中获得NSCs,使用免疫荧光法对其干细胞特性及其受体Fzd3蛋白表达进行鉴定,观察Wnt3a对NSCs体外分化的影响。结果海马NSCs表达特异性标志物巢蛋白及胞膜蛋白Fzd3;体外诱导分化,Wnt3a处理组神经元及星形胶质细胞分化的比例分别为11．25％±0．62％和56．26％±4．82％,而对照组则为8．54％±0．48％和168．42％±5．54％;组间分化差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论体外环境下Wnt3a能够促进NSCs向神经元分化,并抑制其向星形胶质细胞分化。     

Hepatocyte growth factor promotes neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells derived from embryonic stem cells

We previously reported that hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) promoted proliferation of neurospheres and neuronal differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from mouse embryonic brain. In this study, spheres from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells were generated by floating culture following co-culture on PA6 stromal cells. In contrast to the behavior of the neurospheres derived from embryonic brain, addition of HGF to the growth medium of the floating cultures decreased the number of spheres derived from ES cells. When spheres were stained using a MAP-2 antibody, more MAP-2-positive cells were observed in spheres cultured with HGF. When HGF was added to the growth and/or differentiation medium, more MAP-2-positive cells were also obtained. These results suggest that HGF promotes neuronal differentiation of NSCs derived from ES cells.     

胚胎小鼠脊髓源性与纹状体源性神经干细胞的培养及分化特点

目的 探讨小鼠脊髓源性神经干细胞与纹状体源性神经干细胞的分离培养方法 及增殖特点,比较两种来源的神经干细胞发育时期上的异同,寻找更有利于脊髓损伤修复的种子细胞.方法 利用显微解剖、无血清培养和单细胞克隆技术在孕14 d小鼠的胎鼠的脊髓及纹状体中分离培养具有单细胞克隆能力的细胞,免疫荧光染色检测克隆细胞的神经巢蛋白(nestin)抗原和诱导分化后特异性成熟神经细胞抗原的表达,并比较两种来源的干细胞在培养及分化方向上的异同点.结果从胎鼠的脊髓和纹状体中成功分离出神经干细胞.两种来源的干细胞均具有连续克隆能力可传代培养,表达nestin.脊髓血清诱导分化后脊髓源性神经干细胞β-tubulinⅢ阳性细胞(13.5±0.8)较纹状体源性神经干细胞(17.4±1.1)减少,而nestin、GFAP阳性细胞明显增多(45.7±0.3vs 39.2±1.2;25.2±1.3 vs 18.8±0.9),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05). 结论 依据细胞增殖特点和分化结果的区别,证实纹状体源性神经干细胞更适合用于移植修复脊髓损伤.     

突触蛋白-Ⅰ反义寡核苷酸对胚胎干细胞体外神经分化过程的影响

目的 探讨突触蛋白-Ⅰ在体外诱导胚胎干细胞(ESC)向神经细胞分化过程中的作用,寻求这一过程的可调控点或调控切入点.方法 采用"五步法"体外诱导ESC向神经细胞分化,于不同诱导阶段转染突触蛋白-Ⅰ反义寡核苷酸,观察转染后ESC的形态学、分化效率及其他神经特异性蛋白表达的变化.同时以突触蛋白-Ⅰ反义寡核苷酸对PC12细胞诱导过程的影响作参照.结果 胚胎干细胞分化的第3阶段反义链组的突起伸长速度较正常组和正义链组减慢,分化的神经前体细胞[nestin(+)]比例较正常组和正义链组明显减少(68.5%±4.2% vs 76.2%±5.1%和75.8%±4.9%,P＜0.05).第4阶段反义链组所扩增的神经前体细胞[nestin(+)]比例较正常组和正义链组明显减少(75.1%±4.7% vs 90.2%±4.3%和88.7%±4.5%,P＜0.01).第5阶段反义链组细胞之间的联系较正常组和正义链组减少,神经元样细胞[MAP2(+)]的比例较正常组和正义链组减少(30.7%±3.2% vs 41.2%±2.7%和40.5%±2.4%,P＜0.05).PC12细胞反义链组于诱导第1、4、7、10天细胞突起长度均较正常组和正义链组短,细胞分化率(0.33%±0.46%、9.78%±3.47%、45.3%±7.98%和34.2%±5.89%)显著低于正常组(1.81%±0.40%、45.13%±4.17%、90.26%±4.68%和84.66%±4.81%)和正义链组(P＜0.01).结论 抑制突触蛋白-Ⅰ的表达可导致胚胎干细胞向神经细胞分化的进程滞后和神经分化效率降低,提示突触蛋白-Ⅰ在胚胎干细胞的体外神经分化过程中各阶段均起着重要的作用,可能参与了其中的调控机制.     

Differentiation of oligodendrocytes in neurospheres derived from embryonic rat brain using growth and differentiation factors

Studies on the isolation and propagation of multipotent neural precursors as neurospheres suggest their potential use in the reconstitution of neurons and oligodendrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases. To ensure that an adequate number of functionally relevant cells are present after transplantation, in vitro manipulation of cell fate before transplantation may be necessary to control the terminal phenotype of these cells. Using growth factors known to have a role in oligodendrocyte development such as sonic hedgehog, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), we have tried to increase the number of oligodendroglia derived from E18 cortical neurospheres. We have shown that although all of the growth factor combinations induce the formation of oligodendroglia, they do so in varying proportions, with PDGF favouring the formation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells and sonic hedgehog favouring the formation of mature oligodendrocytes. To further enhance the generation of oligodendroglia we exposed neurospheres to B104-cell conditioned medium (B104 CM). Long-term growth of the neurospheres in this B104 CM increased markedly the number of cells committed to the oligodendrocyte lineage, specifically oligodendrocyte progenitor cells. These were then referred to as oligospheres. Our results suggest that the oligosphere culture system may provide a valuable source of cells for the reconstitution of oligodendrocytes in neurologic disorders.     

成人脑神经干细胞体内外增殖、分化和迁移研究

目的探索从成人脑组织获取的神经干细胞（成人-hNSCs）在体外的增殖能力、分化特性、以及在裸鼠颅内的存活、迁移及分化情况。方法分别留取癫痫患者手术切除的颞叶脑组织和10W左右人类自然流产胎儿纹状体组织,体外分离成单细胞悬液,无血清培养基培养、传代并诱导分化。软琼脂糖集落形成实验检测NSCs的增殖能力。免疫荧光法检测NSCs标志物神经上皮巢蛋白（Nestin）和诱导分化后神经元标志物13．tubllin以及神经胶质细胞标志物胶质纤维酸性蛋白（GFAP）的表达;利用动物立体定向仪将体外悬浮培养2W的人NSCs移植入裸鼠颅内,检测NSCs在裸鼠脑组织局部的存活、迁移和分化状况。结果成人-hNSCs集落形成能力较胚胎脑组织来源的NSCs（胎儿-hNSCs）明显减弱,免疫荧光染色显示分离的NSCs呈Nestin阳性,诱导分化后可见（β-tubllin和GFAP阳性的神经细胞,其中80％的细胞为GFAP阳性的星形胶质细胞,20％左右为β-tubllin阳性细胞。分别将成人-hNSCs和胎儿．hNSCs移植入裸鼠纹状体,1个月后,冰冻切片,荧光显微镜观察到来源于成人脑组织来源的NSCs仅见沿针道的近距离迁移,免疫荧光染色在成人-hNSCs移植裸鼠颅内只检测到GFAP阳性的星形胶质细胞。而胎儿-hNSCs可穿过针道,沿大脑廉向脑实质广泛迁移,免疫荧光染色能检测到GFAP和少量（β-tubllin阳性细胞。结论成人脑组织和胚胎纹状体组织中均能成功分离到神经前体细胞,而与胎儿．hNSCs相比,成人-hNSCs体外增殖能力、多向分化潜能和体内迁移能力都明显减弱。     

Derivation of neural precursors from human embryonic stem cells in the presence of noggin

The utilization of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) for basic and applied research is hampered by limitations in directing their differentiation. Empirical poorly defined methods are currently used to develop cultures enriched for distinct cell types. Here, we report the derivation of neural precursors (NPs) from hESC in a defined culture system that includes the bone morphogenetic protein antagonist noggin. When hESC are cultured as floating aggregates in defined medium and BMP signaling is repressed by noggin, non-neural differentiation is suppressed, and the cell aggregates develop into spheres highly enriched for proliferating NPs. The NPs can differentiate into astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and mature electrophysiologically functional neurons. During prolonged propagation, the differentiation potential of the NPs shifts from neuronal to glial fate. The presented noggin-dependent controlled conversion of hESC into NPs is valuable for the study of human neurogenesis, the development of new drugs, and is an important step towards the potential utilization of hESC in neural transplantation therapy.     

通心络对大鼠胚胎神经干细胞源性神经细胞谱系的影响*★

目的：前期体内动物模型实验说明，通心络可能具有影响神经干细胞增殖及向各种神经细胞分化的作用。实验拟观察通心络对大鼠胚胎神经干细胞源性神经细胞谱系的影响以及时效、量效的关系。 方法：实验于2007-06/10在南方医科大学机能学实验室完成。①实验材料：孕12~14 d SD大鼠由南方医科大学实验动物中心提供，实验过程中对动物处置符合动物伦理学标准。通心络，主要成分为人参、水蛭、全蝎、土鳖虫、蜈蚣、蝉蜕、赤芍、冰片等，由石家庄以岭药业股份有限公司生产，国药准字Z19980015。通心络含药血清的制备：按大剂量组1 g/（d?kg）、小剂量组0.5 g/（d?kg）分别予大鼠通心络混悬液灌胃，7 d后抽血离心，吸取血清，过滤消毒，分装，-70 ℃冻存备用。②实验方法：自孕12~14 d大鼠胚胎中分离培养神经干细胞，取第3代细胞分别给予大、小剂量组通心络含药血清干预。以添加普通血清干预的为对照。③实验评估：于培养1，3，7 d通过免疫荧光染色观察各种类型神经细胞所占比例。 结果：①神经干细胞经通心络含药血清干预后1 d，仅在大剂量组海马齿状回有极少数细胞呈BrdU(+)GFAP(+)，其余细胞都呈BrdU(+)Nestin(+)，小剂量组和对照组均为BrdU(+)Nestin(+)细胞。②经通心络含药血清干预后3d，大剂量组、小剂量组和对照组Nestin(+)、βtubulin(+)、GFAP(+)细胞比例差异有显著性意义（P < 0.01），GalC(+)细胞比例差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。③大鼠胚胎神经干细胞经通心络含药血清干预后：各组Nestin(+)细胞比例先降后升；βtubulin(+)细胞比例大剂量组持续上升，小剂量组和对照组先升后降；GFAP(+)细胞比例大剂量组先升后降，小剂量组和对照组持续上升，GalC(+)细胞比例大、小剂量组均较平稳，对照组7 d时明显上升。 结论：通心络有促进大鼠胚胎神经干细胞增殖及向神经元分化的效应，并存在时效、量效关系，剂量越大效应越明显及持久。     

体外三步法诱导胚胎干细胞定向生成神经干细胞的实验研究

目的 探讨体外定向诱导胚胎干细胞(embryonic stem cells，ESCs)生成高纯度神经干细胞(neural stem cells，NSCs)的方法。方法 模拟体内神经细胞分化发育的不同阶段及微环境，以脑星形胶质细胞为支持细胞，用全反式维甲酸(All-trans retinoic acid，ATRA)等分三阶段诱导ESCs定向生成NSCs。形态学观察及畸胎瘤形成试验对ESCs的全能性进行鉴定；形态学观察结合免疫组织化学、流式细胞术和RT-PCR检测胚胎干细胞标志OCT-4和神经干细胞标志Nestin蛋白和(或)基因表达对诱导全过程进行动态监测；NSCs分化试验对所诱导的NSCs的分化潜能进行检测。结果(1)体外培养的小鼠ESC-D3细胞在胚胎成纤维饲养层细胞上连续传代培养，仍保持向三胚层分化的能力；(2)随着诱导的进行，OCT-4表达逐渐减弱并消失，而Nestin表达逐渐增强，经三步法最终可诱导形成纯度高达90％以上的Nestin阳性细胞；(3)所诱导生成的细胞在NSCs选择性培养基中反复传代，仍表现为Nestin阳性和具有生成神经球的能力，在含血清培养基中可进一步分化为神经元、星形神经胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞。结论采用星形胶质细胞作为诱导基质，模拟体内神经分化过程的三步诱导法，可诱导ESCs生成较高纯度的NSCs，并能较好维持其干细胞特性和具有进一步分化的能力。     

Human mesenchymal stem cells isolated from olfactory biopsies but not bone enhance CNS myelination in vitro

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition with limited capacity for repair. Cell transplantation is a potential strategy to promote SCI repair with cells from the olfactory system being promising candidates. Although transplants of human olfactory mucosa (OM) are already ongoing in clinical trials, the repair potential of this tissue remains unclear. Previously, we identified mesenchymal‐like stem cells that reside in the lamina propria (LP‐MSCs) of rat and human OM. Little is known about these cells or their interactions with glia such as olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), which would be co‐transplanted with MSCs from the OM, or endogenous CNS glia such as oligodendrocytes. We have characterized, purified, and assessed the repair potential of human LP‐MSCs by investigating their effect on glial cell biology with specific emphasis on CNS myelination in vitro. Purified LP‐MSCs expressed typical bone marrow MSC (BM‐MSC) markers, formed spheres, were clonogenic and differentiated into bone and fat. LP‐MSC conditioned medium (CM) promoted oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) and OEC proliferation and induced a highly branched morphology. LP‐MSC‐CM treatment caused OEC process extension. Both LP and BM‐MSCs promoted OPC proliferation and differentiation, but only myelinating cultures treated with CM from LP and not BM‐MSCs had a significant increase in myelination. Comparison with fibroblasts and contaminating OM fibroblast like‐cells showed the promyelination effect was LP‐MSC specific. Thus LP‐MSCs harvested from human OM biopsies may be an important candidate for cell transplantation by contributing to the repair of SCI. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Adipocytes derived from PA6 cells reliably promote the differentiation of dopaminergic neurons from human embryonic stem cells

The PA6 stromal cell line comprises a heterogeneous population of cells that can induce both mouse and human embryonic stem cells to differentiate into dopaminergic neurons. This ability of PA6 cells has been termed stromal cell‐derived inducing activity (SDIA). The level of SDIA has been found to vary considerably between and within batches of PA6 cells. Not only are the molecular mechanisms that underlie SDIA unknown but also the cell type(s) within the heterogeneous PA6 cultures that underlie SDIA remain poorly defined. In this study, we reveal that adipocytes, which are present within the heterogeneous PA6 cell population, robustly release the factors mediating SDIA. Furthermore, we report that the coculture of human embryonic stem cells with PA6‐derived adipocytes reliably induces their differentiation into midbrain dopaminergic neurons. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

大鼠胚胎神经干细胞的冷冻复苏

目的：建立大鼠胚胎神经干细胞冷冻复苏方法，探讨冻存后神经干细胞的活力及生物学特性。方法：采用10％BSA＋7．5％DMSO作冷冻保护剂，于液氮中冻存；采用细胞培养和间接免疫荧光染色方法对冻存后细胞的活力，形态及分化能力作鉴定。结果：不同的冻存时间，细胞代数，组织来源以及神经营养因子对冻存后细胞存活率没有明显差异（P＞0．05）。冷冻保存复苏后培养的大鼠胚胎神经干细胞能够存活，能在体外多次传代，并能分化成神经元，星形胶质细胞细胞和少突胶质细胞。结论：大鼠神经干细胞的冻存复苏并不影响其原有的生物学特性包括其正常的，增殖能力和多向分化能力。     

大鼠胚胎神经干细胞的冷冻复苏

目的:建立大鼠胚胎神经干细胞冷冻复苏方法,探讨冻存后神经干细胞的活力及生物学特性.方法:采用10%BSA+7.5%DMSO作冷冻保护剂,于液氮中冻存;采用细胞培养和间接免疫荧光染色方法对冻存后细胞的活力、形态及分化能力作鉴定.结果:不同的冻存时间、细胞代数、组织来源以及神经营养因子对冻存后细胞存活率没有明显差异(P＞0.05).冷冻保存复苏后培养的大鼠胚胎神经干细胞能够存活,能在体外多次传代,并能分化成神经元、星形胶质细胞和少突胶质细胞.结论:大鼠神经干细胞的冻存复苏并不影响其原有的生物学特性包括其正常的形态、增殖能力和多向分化能力.     

Human embryonic stem cells differentiate into oligodendrocytes in high purity and myelinate after spinal cord transplantation

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) demonstrate remarkable proliferative and developmental capacity. Clinical interest arises from their ability to provide an apparently unlimited cell supply for transplantation, and from the hope that they can be directed to desirable phenotypes in high purity. Here we present for the first time a method for obtaining oligodendrocytes and their progenitors in high yield from hESCs. We expanded hESCs, promoted their differentiation into oligodendroglial progenitors, amplified those progenitors, and then promoted oligodendroglial differentiation using positive selection and mechanical enrichment. Transplantation into the shiverer model of dysmyelination resulted in integration, differentiation into oligodendrocytes, and compact myelin formation, demonstrating that these cells display a functional phenotype. This differentiation protocol provides a means of generating human oligodendroglial lineage cells in high purity, for use in studies of lineage development, screening assays of oligodendroglial-specific compounds, and treating neurodegenerative diseases and traumatic injuries to the adult CNS.     

In vitro culture and differentiation of rat embryonic midbrain-derived neural stem cells

BACKGROUND: Midbrain-derived neural stem cells (mNSCs) can differentiate into functional mature dopamincrgic neurons. The mNSCs are considered the ideal choice for cell therapy of Parkinson's disease. OBJECTIVE: To isolate rat embryonic mNSCs and to observe the differentiation characteristics of mNSCs induced by cell growth-promoting factors. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: An in vitro cell culture study based on the molecular biology of nerve cells was carried out at the Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital (China) from March to November 2007. MATERIALS: Sprague Dawley rats at embryonic day 14 were used in this study. Nestin antibody, β-Ⅲ tubulin antibody, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) antibody and cyclic nucleotide 3'-phosphohydrolase (CNPase) antibody were provided by Abeam; DMEM/F12 medium and N2 supplement were provided by Invitrogen; epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) were provided by R＆D Systems. METHODS: The ventral mesencephalon was dissected from embryonic day 14 rat embryos. By trypsin digestion and mechanical separation, the brain tissue was triturated into a fine single-cell suspension. The cells were cultured in 5 mL serum-free medium containing DMEM/Fl2, 1% N2 supplement, 20 ng/mL EGF and FGF2. The mNSCs at the third generation were coated with 10 μg/mL polylysine and induced to differentiate in the DMEM/Fl2 supplemented with 1% fetal bovine serum and 1% N2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The neural spheres of the third passage were identified by nestin immunofluorescence; at the same time, the cells were induced to differentiate, and the types of differentiated cell were identified by immunofluorescence for βⅢ tubulin, GFAP and CNPase. RESULTS: Seven days after primary culture, a great many neurospheres could be obtained by successive pasage. Immunofluorescence assays showed that the neurospheres were nestin positive, and after differentiation, the cells expressed GFAP, CNPase and β -Ⅲ-tubulin. CONCLUSION: Embryonic day 14 rat mNSCs can differentiate into neuron-like cells and glial cells following induction by EGF, FGF2 and N2 additive.     

In vitro culture and differentiation of rat embryonic midbrain-derived neural stem cells*☆

BACKGROUND： Midbrain-derived neural stem cells （mNSCs） can differentiate into functional mature dopaminergic neurons. The mNSCs are considered the ideal choice for cell therapy of Parkinson＇s disease. OBJECTIVE： To isolate rat embryonic mNSCs and to observe the differentiation characteristics of mNSCs induced by cell growth-promoting factors. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： An in vitro cell culture study based on the molecular biology of nerve cells was carried out at the Institute of Clinical Medicine, China-Japan Friendship Hospital （China） from March to November 2007. MATERIALS： Sprague Dawley rats at embryonic day 14 were used in this study. Nestin antibody, β-Ⅲ tubulin antibody, glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP） antibody and cyclic nucleotide 3＇-phosphohydrolase （CNPase） antibody were provided by Abcam; DMEM/F12 medium and N2 supplement were provided by Invitrogen; epidermal growth factor （EGF） and fibroblast growth factor-2 （FGF2） were provided by R＆D Systems. METHODS： The ventral mesencephalon was dissected from embryonic day 14 rat embryos. By trypsin digestion and mechanical separation, the brain tissue was triturated into a fine single-cell suspension. The cells were cultured in 5 mL serum-free medium containing DMEM/FI 2, 1% N： supplement, 20 ng/mL EGF and FGF2. The mNSCs at the third generation were coated with 10ug/mL polylysine and induced to differentiate in the DMEM/F12 supplemented with 1% fetal bovine serum and 1% N2. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The neural spheres of the third passage were identified by nestin immunofluorescence; at the same time, the cells were induced to differentiate, and the types of differentiated cell were identified by immunofluorescence for β Ⅲ tubulin, GFAP and CNPase. RESULTS： Seven days after primary culture, a great many neurospheres could be obtained by successive pasage. Immunofluorescence assays showed that the neurospheres were nestin positive, and after differentiation, the cells expressed GFAP, CNPase and β -Ⅲ-tu     

骨髓间充质干细胞神经分化的体内外研究

目的研究骨髓间充质干细胞在体内外向神经细胞分化的潜能。方法(1)分离培养：从水囊引产胎儿的四肢骨中分离培养骨髓基质细胞，再通过贴壁方法将间充质干细胞从骨髓来源的单个核细胞中分离出，利用流式细胞仪进行间充质干细胞免疫表型测定。(2)体外分化观察：将间充质干细胞在二甲基亚砜(DMSO)和丁羟茴醚(BHA)中作用5h后，行神经元特异性烯醇化酶、神经微丝等免疫组化染色。(3)体内分化观察：将用5一溴脱氧尿核苷(BrDU)标记的间充质干细胞通过立体定向的方法移植于顶叶皮质区，然后再行烯醇化酶、神经微丝及胶质纤维酸性蛋白免疫组化染色。结果(1)生物学特性：间充质干细胞贴壁生长，细胞表现为梭形细胞形态，骨髓来源的间充质干细胞CD34、HLA—DR的表达为阴性，而CD44、CD29、CD13的表达为阳性。(2)体外分化：间充质干细胞在体外被DMSO／BHA处理后，胞浆向细胞核方向收缩，形成一个收缩的胞体，外周是细胞膜的突起，呈现出典型的神经元表型，并且免疫组化染色呈现神经元特异性烯醇化酶及神经微丝染色阳性。(3)体内分化：间充质干细胞被立体定向移植后，在移植部位可见BrDU染色阳性的细胞团，同时可见BrDU阳性细胞迁移到周围宿主的皮质中。免疫组化染色显示，在移植物中及邻近宿主皮质中的移植细胞呈神经元标记烯醇化酶染色阳性，星形细胞标记胶质纤维酸性蛋白染色阳性。结论问充质干细胞有能力分化为非间充质细胞，特别是神经元。