Aim: To induce the differentiation of ectomesenchymal stem cells (EMSCs) into dentritic cells (DCs) in vitro.
Methods: The EMSCs were cultured for 17 days continuously in RPMI1640 medium containing 100 ng/mL rat recombinant GM-CSF and 200 U/mL rat recombinant IL-3. On the 19th day, they were induced by rat recombinant TNF-α. The characteristics of the induced EMSCs were observed in aspects of morphology, ultrastructure, surface marker, mixed lymphocyte reaction and secretion of IL-12. The bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) of Sprague Dawley rat were used as controls.
Results: The induced EMSCs exhibited slender pseudopodia, burr and partial adherent growth. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the cells displayed processes and pseudopodia. The expressions of surface markers of induced EMSCs were similar to those of BMSCs-induced DCs. The mixed lymphocyte reaction assay revealed that the EMSCs stimulated the proliferation of lymphocytes. The induced EMSCs displayed the ability of IL-12 secretion.
Conclusion: EMSCs can be differentiated into DCs by induction in vitro.