[Differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal cells into neuron induced by baicalin].

OBJECTIVE

To study the possibility that induced marrow stromal cells (MSCs) to neuron in vitro by baicalin, a kind of flavonoid isolated from an important medicinal plant Scutellariae Radix.

METHODS

MSCs from adult SD rats were induced by baicalin in serum-free medium for 6 days. The expression of neuronal or glia specific markers and gene was evaluated by indirect immunofluorescence cytochemistry staining, Western blot, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The percentage of apoptotic cells at 6 days after baicalin treatment was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase- mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay. Moreover, differentiating cells that labeled by green fluorescent protein vector were transplanted to the striatum of adult SD rats after 6d of baicalin treatment.

RESULTS

After induction for 6 d, MSCs displayed neuronal morphologies, such as pyramidal cell bodies and processes formed extensive networks. The undifferentiated cells did not exhibit a neuronal or glial phenotype. The differentiating cells expressed nestin, a marker of neural stem cells, at 6 h, and disappeared at 6 d. In contrast, expression of neuron-specific markers and gene was detectable at 6 d. And glia-specific markers and gene was not expressed. The percentage of apoptotic cells was 12.2% +/- 2.8%. In addition, fluorescently labeled cells were readily detected in the brain section after 14d of transplantation.

CONCLUSION

Baicalin may induce adult rat MSCs to neuron in vitro. It is a useful vehicles for autotransplantation in both cell and gene therapy for a variety of diseases of the central nervous system.