Targeted induction of differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stem cells into neuron-like cells

Summary  A systematic method of isolating and culturing human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), and inducing them to differentiate into neuron-like cells in vitro was established. The hMSCs were isolated from bone marrow with the lymphocyte-separating medium, cultured and expanded in vitro, and induced after addition of compound neuro-revulsants. The morphological changes of hMSCs were observed, and the expression of surface markers in induced hMSCs was immunocytochemically identified during induction period. The hMSCs could be separated, cultured and expanded in vitro. After induction by compound neuro-revulsants for 48 h, the changes of neuron-like cells, such as cellular shrinkage and neurite growth, were observed in some cells. The immunochemical staining revealed nestin (+) or NF (+), and GFAP (−). It was concluded that hMSCs were successfully cultured and induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells.