[Effect of hyaluronic acid on promoting bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into neural cells in vitro].

Abstract

To determine the effect of hyaluronic acid (HA) on promoting bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to differentiate into neural cells.
BMSCs were purified and monitored. NSE+/NF+ cells and nestin+ cells were detected by immunocytochemistry. The mRNA levels of NSE, NF and nestin were determined by RT-PCR.
The BMSCs adhered to HA hydrogel, with many surface projections, branches or crossing (Group A). Those cultured in brain tissue culture medium grew projections with fewer branches (Group B). Group A had more NSE+ cells (92.58 +/- 15.84) than Group B (80.26 +/- 16.47), and more NF+ cells (71.25 +/- 17.44) than Group B (52.37 +/- 14.75) (P < 0.05). At day 2 post-stimulation, more nestin+ cells were found in Group A (48.3 +/- 7.7) compared with Group B (34.6 +/- 5.2) (P < 0.05). At day 7, the mRNA levels of NSE and NF increased in both groups, but more in Group A. Nestin mRNA increased at day 2 post-stimulation and dropped at day 7 in both groups, where more significant in Group A.
HA hydrogel provides structural support and proper microenvironment for the growth, proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs, and promotes BMSCs to differentiate into neuron cells.