Objective: To investigate the differentiation of the rat bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) into neuron like cells which express glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT).
Methods: BMSCs of rats were flushed out with DMEM from femurs marrow and separated, and then planted in plastic flask. After being expanded and purified, the BMSCs were differentiated into neuron-like cells. Neurofilament (NF-200), microassociate protein-2 (MAP-2), neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN), nestin, gial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), GAD and ChAT were detected by immunohisitochemistry.
Results: The induced BMSCs exhibited neuronal morphological characteristics, and the expressions of NF-200, MAP-2, NeuN and nestin were positive, but the expression of GFAP was negative. About (3 +/- 0.8)% of the induced BMSCs expressed GAD, and (5 +/- 0.3)% expressed ChAT.
Conclusion: BMSCs can differentiate into neuron like cells, and express GAD and ChAT partially.