Lin−CD34− bone marrow cells from adult mice can differentiate into neural-like cells

Numerous studies have shown that some populations of bone marrow cells (BMCs) have the capacity to differentiate into neural cells, which is useful for repairing brain lesions. In this paper, we analyze neural differentiation features of lineage-negative/CD34-negative (Lin−CD34−) cells in the bone marrow of adult mice. The population of Lin−CD34− in BMCs was isolated by magnetic bead sorting and fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) using specific lineage (CD4, CD8a, CD11b, CD45R, Gr-1 and TER-119) antibodies and CD34 antibody. First, we cultured Lin−CD34− BMCs in the presence of RNIF: vitamin A derivative retinoic acid (RA) and neural-inducing factors (platelet-derived growth factor BB (PDGF-BB), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor-basic (FGF-b)). Analyses of RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry indicated that RNIF-treated Lin−CD34− BMCs expressed neural phenotypes as well as neurogenic transcription factors. When we implanted the Lin−CD34− BMCs isolated from enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) transgenic mice into the subventricular zone (SVZ) of postnatal mice, eGFP-positive cells survived 3 weeks after the injection in the various brain regions, some of which expressed the neural phenotypes. Our data suggest that certain subsets in the CD34− populations of adult bone marrow could have the capacity to differentiate into neural cells in a suitable environment.