Transdifferentiation of human synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cell into neuronal-like cells in vitro

Introduction: Synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) could be expanded extensively in monolayer with limited senescence, maintaining their multilineage differentiation potential in vitro. We characterized the multi-potent ability of human synovial membrane derived stem cells (SMSCs) and investigated the neural differentiation potential of these cells. Materials and Methods: SMSCs were isolated from the knee joint of ACL (Anterior cruciate ligament) and baker cyst patient. These cells were proliferated and amplified with the indicated concentration of FBS (Fetal Bovin Serum) and DMEM in vitro. Alizarin red and oil red staining was done to investigate stemness property of the cells. Then, they were induced in vitro by β-ercaptoethanol (BME), and Retinoic acid (RA). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was done to prove the neural gene and osteocyte and adipocyte cells specific genes. Results: RT-PCR analysis showed the expression of osteogenic and adipogenic genes. Following neural induction, SMSCs were differentiated into various types of neural cells in vitro. RT-PCR analysis also demonstrated that the mRNA levels encoding for neurofilament medium (NFM), neuron specific enolase (NSE) were also highly increased in induced SMSCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that synovium tissue, which is discarded in most of the knee operations, can be used for cell therapy and tissue engineering protocols as an enrichment source of potent mesenchymal stem cells. Induction of SMSCs by inducers such as BME-RA could highly transdifferentiate SMSCs into neuronal-like cells.