Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to differentiate into neuronal like cells under appropriate culture condition. In this study, we investigated whether MSCs derived from human peripheral blood (PB-MSCs) can differentiate into neuronal like cells by synergic effect of the growth factors EGF, bFGF and Noggin. For this purpose, the expression of five neuronal markers (Nestin, β III tubulin, NFM, MAP2 and NSE) were evaluated in treated PB-MSCs by SYBR Green Real time PCR. The expression analysis showed a higher expression of β-tubulin and NFM in treated BP-MSCs compared with untreated PB-MSCs as a control group. The expression of Nestin was also diminished in PB-MSCs treated with Noggin. This study suggested that the treatment of PB- MSCs with Noggin alongside with bFGF and EGF might differentiate these cells into neuronal lineage cells. The obtained results could be further developed for useful applications in regenerative medicine.
Keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells; Noggin; differentiation; neuronal markers.