Stem Cells Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Stem Cells, including details on research, transplants, therapy, benefits.

Expression of neural markers on bone marrow-derived canine mesenchymal stem cells.

Kamishina H, Deng J, Oji T, Cheeseman JA, Clemmons RM

Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cell surface markers of bone marrow-derived canine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) by use of flow cytometric analysis and determine whether canine MSCs express proteins specific to neuronal and glial cells. SAMPLE POPULATION: Bone marrow aspirates collected from iliac crests of 5 cadavers of young adult dogs. PROCEDURES: Flow cytometric analysis was performed to evaluate cell surface markers and homogeneity of third-passage MSCs. Neural differentiation of canine MSCs was induced by use of dibutyryl cAMP and methyl-isobutylxanthine. Expressions of neuronal (beta III-tubulin) and glial (glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP] and myelin basic protein) proteins were evaluated by use of immunocytochemical and western blot analyses before and after neural differentiation. RESULTS: Third-passage canine MSCs appeared morphologically homogeneous and shared phenotypic characteristics with human and rodent MSCs. Immunocytochemical and western blot analyses revealed that canine MSCs constitutively expressed beta III-tubulin and GFAP. After induction of neural differentiation, increased expression of GFAP was found in all samples, whereas such change was inconsistent in beta III-tubulin expression. Myelin basic protein remained undetectable on canine MSCs for these culture conditions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Canine bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells yielded an apparently homogeneous population of MSCs after expansion in culture. Expanded canine MSCs constitutively expressed neuron or astrocyte specific proteins. Furthermore, increases of intracellular cAMP concentrations induced increased expression of GFAP on canine MSCs, which suggests that these cells may have the capacity to respond to external signals. Canine MSCs may hold therapeutic potential for treatment of dogs with neurologic disorders.

Published 2 November 2006 in Am J Vet Res, 67(11): 1921-8.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Stem Cells Research Today. All Rights Reserved.