OBJECTIVE:

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were documented as a feasible candidate for cell therapy. Several protocols with one or more steps, using different chemicals, were used for inducing BMSCs differentiation into neuronal phenotype. Many of these chemicals were reported to be of mutagenic, teratogenic or carcinogenic properties. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the neuronal inductivity of selegiline to BMSCs.

METHODS:

Selegiline was used to induce BMSCs following pre-induction with beta-mercaptoethanol and retinoic acid. The neuronal phenotype was evaluated using antineurofilament 200, neurofilament 68, anti-Map-2 and synapsin I antibodies. In addition, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used for the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin 3 (NT-3), neuroligin 1 and post-synaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95).

RESULTS:

The result of the work showed that the induced BMSCs were immunoreactive for neurofilaments 200 and 68. Moreover, anti-Map-2 and synapsin I antibodies showed a structure morphologically consistent with synapses. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that the induced BMSCs could express BDNF, NGF, NT-3, neuroligin 1 and PSD-95. The time course used was 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours, and the percentages of neurofilament 200 immunoreactive cells were analysed using the logistic growth curve.

DISCUSSION:

The results showed that selegiline was efficient and a potent inducer for BMSCs into neuronal phenotype, which can be used in the cell therapy in neurodegeneration and traumatic nervous tissue injuries.