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Neural stem cells (NSCs) have generated considerable interest because of their potential as a source of defined cells for drug screening or cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Ethical and practical considerations limit the availability of human fetal-derived neural tissue and highlight the need to consider alternative sources of human NSCs. Because of their ready availability, their ability to be easily expanded, and reports of neural potential, bone marrow-derived populations have become the focus of intense study with regard to their potential clinical utility. However, recent identification of spontaneous cell fusion and limited neuronal differentiation has tempered initial optimism. In this study, we demonstrate the monoclonal neural and mesodermal potential of adult human bone marrow mesenchymal cells. Critically, we show that sequential treatment with the mitogens epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) followed by postnatal hippocampal astrocyte conditioned medium significantly promotes the generation of neurofilament(+)/beta-tubulin(+) cells from bone marrow precursors. The ability to generate almost limitless numbers of neural precursors from a readily accessible autologous adult human source provides a platform for further studies and potentially has important therapeutic implications.

Original publication

DOI

10.1089/15258160360732704

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Hematother Stem Cell Res

Publication Date

12/2003

Volume

12

Pages

681 - 688

Keywords

Actins, Adult, Astrocytes, Bone Marrow Cells, Cell Differentiation, Clone Cells, Colforsin, Culture Media, Conditioned, Dimethyl Sulfoxide, Epidermal Growth Factor, Fibroblast Growth Factor 2, Fibronectins, Humans, Immunohistochemistry, Infant, Intermediate Filament Proteins, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Nestin, Neurofilament Proteins, Neurons, Stem Cells, Tubulin