Neural differentiation ability of mesenchymal stromal cells from bone marrow and adipose tissue: a comparative study

Background aims. The characteristics, such as morphologic and phenotypic characteristics and neural transdifferentiation ability, of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) derived from different origins have yet to be reported for cases isolated from the same individual. Methods. The proliferation capacity, secretion ability of neurotrophins (NT) and neural differentiation ability in rat MSC isolated from bone marrow (BMSC) and adipose tissue (ADSC) were compared from the same animal. Results. The ADSC had a significantly higher proliferation capacity than BMSC according to cell cycle and cumulative population doubling analyses. The proportion of cells expressing neural markers was greater in differentiated ADSC than in differentiated BMSC. Furthermore, the single neurosphere derived from ADSC showed stronger expansion and differentiation abilities than that derived from BMSC. The findings from Western blot lent further support to the immunocytochemical data. The mRNA and protein levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived growth factor (BDNF) expressed in ADSC were significantly higher than those in BMSC at different stages before and following induction. Conclusions. Our study suggests that the proliferation ability of ADSC is superior to that of BMSC. Furthermore, differentiated ADSC expressed higher percentages of neural markers. As one possible alternative source of BMSC, ADSC may have wide potential for treating central nervous system (CNS) diseases.