Neural markers expression in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell cultures treated with neurosteroids

Neurochem Res. 2010 Dec;35(12):2154-60. doi: 10.1007/s11064-010-0283-3. Epub 2010 Oct 13.

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation is to study the effects of DEX or E(2) treatment during differentiation towards neural cell line of rat BM-MSCs in culture. In order to better characterize biochemically our in vitro model, we evaluate by western blotting and immunocytochemical analysis some neural lineage markers (nestin, neurofilament, β-tubulin) and MAP-Kinases. An enhanced expression of the neural markers and MAP-Kinase in DEX-treated BM-MSCs cultures is found. In addition, E(2)-treatment increases MAP-Kinase and β-tubulin expression, but it decreases nestin and neurofilament expression. In conclusion, our findings highlight a significant up and down modulation of nestin, neurofilament, β-tubulin and MAP-Kinases expression in neurosteroids-treated BM-MSCs. In particular, our results clarify the molecular mechanism involved during eventual differentiation of these stem cells treated with DEX and E(2), addressed towards a neural cell line, that may express neurotrophic receptors and release neurotrophines particularly implicated during neurogenesis processes.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Blotting, Western
  • Bone Marrow Cells / drug effects*
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology*
  • Estradiol / pharmacology*
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Estradiol
  • Dexamethasone