Neural differentiation of mouse embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells in a simple medium containing synthetic serum replacement

Neural differentiation of embryonic and adult stem cells has been reported previously. Several studies have used different proportions of serum or a cocktail of growth and differentiation factors for this purpose. In the present study, we examined neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells in KoSR-containing media. We also investigated neural differentiation of mouse adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in a medium containing KoSR, a synthetic serum replacement, and compared it with neural differentiation in low-serum condition. Meanwhile, effect of β-ME on neural differentiation was investigated in both conditions. As revealed by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry analyses, KoSR-containing medium induced neural differentiation of mouse ES cells. Moreover, under the culture conditions we tested, ADSCs were differentiated to neuron-like cells and expressed some neuronal markers. Low concentration of β-ME improved neuron-like differentiation of the ADSCs in the 4% FBS-supplemented medium, while addition of β-ME in KoSR condition decreased neural differentiation. KoSR-containing medium without any additional factor improved generation of neuron-like cells, upregulated the expression of mature neuronal markers and led to the formation of cytoplasmic processes. In summary, our findings are indicating that mouse embryonic and mesenchymal stem cells are capable of neural development in KoSR-containing media.