Differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into neural-like cells by co-culture with retinal pigment epithelial cells

Aim; To detect the differentiation effects of retinal cells or extracts on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC). METHODS; Human fetal BMSC were previously labeled by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester (CFSE), and co-cultured with retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells which were pre-treated with ultraviolet irradiation at a ratio of 1: 1 to induce the differentiation of BMSC for up to 14 days. In some assays, a retinal extract of bovine retinal extract (BRE) was added to detect the potential effects of retinal component on the differentiation of BMSC. In addition, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), Nestin and Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) immunostaining were performed to determine the characteristics of BMSC. Results; The results indicated that by co-cultured with RPE cells, fetal BMSC were differentiated into neural-like cells expressing special neuronal markers Nestin, GFAP and NSE. And the expression of these markers was obviously increased by BRE. Conclusion; Retina derived cells and extracts can induce the differentiation of BMSC into neural-like cells.