Synergistic Effect of BDNF and FGF2 in Efficient Generation of Functional Dopaminergic Neurons from human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Sci Rep. 2017 Sep 4;7(1):10378. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-11028-z.

Abstract

To understand the process of neurogenesis, generation of functional dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons from human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) is important. BDNF has been reported to be responsible for inducing neuronal maturation and functionality. Previously, we have reported the efficient generation of neurons from human bone marrow derived MSCs using FGF2 alone. We hypothesize that hMSCs from various tissues [(bone marrow (BM), adipose tissue (AD) and dental pulp (DP)], if treated with BDNF on 9th day of induction, alongwith FGF2 will generate functional DAergic neurons. Hence, cells were characterized at morphometric, transcription and translational levels for various markers like MAP2, TH, NGN2, PITX3, DAT, synaptophysin, Kv4.2 and SCN5A. Functionality of in vitro generated neurons was studied by calcium ion imaging. Result analysis depicted that BDNF has effect on expression of dopaminergic neuronal markers at gene and protein levels and functionality of neurons. Among these hMSCs, DP-MSC showed significantly better neuronal characteristics in terms of morphology, expression of neuronal markers and foremost, functionality of neurons. From the present study, therefore, we concluded that i) BDNF has additive effect on neuronal characteristics and functionality ii) DP-MSC are better MSC candidate to study DAergic neurogenesis and perform future studies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
  • Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / pharmacology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Line
  • Dental Pulp / cytology
  • Dental Pulp / metabolism
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / cytology*
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / drug effects
  • Dopaminergic Neurons / metabolism
  • Drug Synergism
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Genetic Markers / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Genetic Markers
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2