Differentiation Of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells Into Neural Cells Induced By Astragalus Mongholicus

ObjectiveTo investigating the biological characteristics of human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) and inducing them to differentiate into neurons in vitro, in order to provide stem cell resource for the tissue engineering artificial nerve.MethodsIn this study, we obtained the umbilical cord from the caesarean full-term newborn under sterile condition, and obtained the adherent cells by method of tissue cultivation, then they were serially subcultivated and purified. Determine the expression of CD44, CD105,CD106,CD34, CD45 in the the second generations of adherent cells'surface by immunohistochemistry. Use the the second generations of adherent cells in good condition to cell-seeded coverslips, when the cells grow to 60%-70% confluence, divided into four groups and induced to differentiate into neural cells. The frist group of cells are added by virgin nutrient,the second group of cells are induced by merely growth factors,the third of cells induced by merely astragalus mongholicus and the fourth by the astragalus mongholicus with growth factor, observe the morphology of the cells of the two groups under inverted microscope, and determine the positive expression rate of nerve cells' markers, such as NSE, NF and GFAP.The results were statistically analyzed.Result1.After 5-6 days, the new adherent cells can be seen from the primary cultured tissue.The morphology of the adherent cells is similar to fibroblasts.After a week, they have a rapid multiplication, like the shape of whirlpool.their morphology is similar to mesenchymal stem cells, and the results were CD44, CD105 strongly positive, CD106 weakly positive, CD34, CD45 negative, consistented with the biological characteristics of UCMSCs.2.The cells of the B,C and D groups can be induced to neural-like cells, but the NSE, NF and GFAP positive expression rate of the cells which Were induced by astragalus mongholicus combined growth factor is higher, by statistical analysis, there are significant differences.Conclusion:1.Astragalus mongholicus with growth factor can successfully induce the UCMSCs to differentiate into neurons in vitro.Not only the morphology of UCMSCs and BMSCs were alike, but also the antigen makers.2.The cells of the four groups can be induced to neural-like cells, but the NSE, NF and GFAP positive expression rate of the cells which were induced by astragalus mongholicus combined growth factor is higher, by statistical analysis, there are significant differences.