Transdifferentiation of bone marrow stromal cells in hippocampal slice culture model

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New possibilities for repairing the nervous system have arisen since the discovery of stem cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that different types of stem cells can be transplanted successfully in animal models. Adult green mice marrow stromal cells were co-cultured with hippocampal slices. Transdifferentiation to neuron-or glia-like cells occurred exclusively inside slice boundaries appearing at day 3, and then decreasing gradually over 35 days. Neuron-like cells tended to form network-like connections around day 14. The use of retinoic acid greatly enhanced the number of transdifferentiated cells and the best concentration was 10^<-6> M. NeuN Immunohistochemistry was positive in 9.6 ± 1.7% of morphologically transdifferentiated neuron-like cells. GFAP and lba1immunostainings were negative. We concluded that bone marrow stromal cells can be transdifferentiated into neurons, and direct contact with the host brain tissue is essential. Retinoic acid significantly increases the number of transdifferentiated cells as has been reported with other stem cells.