Differentiation of single cell derived human mesenchymal stem cells into cells with a neuronal phenotype: RNA and microRNA expression profile.

The adult bone marrow contains a subset of non-haematopoietic cells referred to as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted immense research interest in the field of regenerative medicine due to their ability to be cultured for successive passages and multi-lineage differentiation. The molecular mechanisms governing the self-renewal and differentiation of MSCs remain largely unknown.

Human astrocytes can be induced to differentiate into cells with neuronal phenotype.

Several recent studies have proposed that astrocytes may contribute to neurogenesis, not only as a source of trophic substances regulating it, but also as stem cells themselves. In order to better understand these mechanisms, primary astrocyte cultures were established from human fetal brain. After 3-4 weeks in culture, astrocytes (about 95% GFAP+; neurofilament, NF-; neuro-specific enolase, NSE-) were treated with a cocktail of protein kinase activators and FGF-1.

Differentiation of human bone marrow stem cells into cells with a neural phenotype: diverse effects of two specific treatments.

Background: It has recently been demonstrated that the fate of adult cells is not restricted to their tissues of origin. In particular, it has been shown that bone marrow stem cells can give rise to cells of different tissues, including neural cells, hepatocytes and myocytes, expanding their differentiation potential.

Results: In order to identify factors able to lead differentiation of stem cells towards cells of neural lineage, we isolated stromal cells from human adult bone marrow (BMSC).

Differentiation of human adult CD34+ stem cells into cells with a neural phenotype: role of astrocytes.

It has recently been reported that adult hematopoietic stem cells can differentiate into neural cells, opening new frontiers in therapy for neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, adult human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were isolated via magnetic bead sorting, using a specific CD34 antibody and cultured with human astrocyte culture conditioned medium (ACM). In order to evaluate their differentiation into neurons and/or astrocytes, ACM-treated cultures were probed for the expression of several neural markers.

S100b counteracts effects of the neurotoxicant trimethyltin on astrocytes and microglia.

Central nervous system degenerative diseases are often characterized by an early, strong reaction of astrocytes and microglia. Both these cell types can play a double role, protecting neurons against degeneration through the synthesis and secretion of trophic factors or inducing degeneration through the secretion of toxic molecules. Therefore, we studied the effects of S100B and trimethyltin (TMT) on human astrocytes and microglia with two glial models, primary cultures of human fetal astrocytes and a microglia cell line.

Inhibition of cytokines expression in human microglia infected by virulent and non-virulent mycobacteria.

The pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TBC) meningitis is still unknown. As shown by previous studies, human microglia can be the target of mycobacteria, but no data are available about their cellular response to infection. Consequently, we studied the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-10 in human microglia pure cultures infected with the two variants of Mycobacterium avium (domed-opaque (SmD) and transparent (SmT)) and with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Expression of CD137 and its ligand in human neurons, astrocytes, and microglia: modulation by FGF-2.

CD137 (ILA, 4-1BB), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, and its ligand CD137-L were assayed by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry in cultured human brain cells. Results demonstrated that both neurons and astrocytes expressed specific RNA for CD137 and its protein, which was found both on the plasma membrane and in the cytoplasm. Surprisingly, microglia, which also expressed CD137 mRNA, showed negative immunostaining.