Analysis of neural potential of human umbilical cord blood–derived multipotent mesenchymal stem cells in response to a range of neurogenic stimuli

We investigated the neurogenic potential of full‐term human umbilical cord blood (hUCB)–derived multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in response to neural induction media or coculture with rat neural cells. Phenotypic and functional changes were assessed by immunocytochemistry, RT‐PCR, and whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings. Naive MSCs expressed both mesodermal and ectodermal markers prior to neural induction. Exposure to retinoic acid, basic fibroblast growth factor, or cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) did not stimulate neural morphology, whereas exposure to dibutyryl cAMP and 3‐isobutyl‐1‐methylxanthine stimulated a neuron‐like morphology but also appeared to be cytotoxic. All protocols stimulated increases in expression of the neural precursor marker nestin, but expression of mature neuronal or glial markers MAP2 and GFAP was not observed. Nestin expression increases were serum level dependent. Electrophysiological properties of MSCs were studied with whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings. The MSCs possessed no ionic currents typical of neurons before or after neural induction protocols. Coculture of hUCB‐derived MSCs and rat neural cells induced some MSCs to adopt an astrocyte‐like morphology and express GFAP protein and mRNA. Our data suggest hUCB‐derived MSCs do not transdifferentiate into mature functioning neurons in response to the above neurogenic protocols; however, coculture with rat neural cells led to a minority adopting an astrocyte‐like phenotype. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.