Molecular pathways involved in neural in vitro differentiation of marrow stromal stem cells

• DOI: 10.1002/jcb.20315
• Publication Date: 2004-11-16T17:46:38Z
• Authors: Francesco P. Jori; Marco A. Napolitano; Mariarosa A.B. Me...; Marilena Cipollaro; Antonino Cascino; Lucia Altucci; Gianfranco Peluso; Antonio Giordano; Umberto Galderisi
• Keywords: Rap1

Abstract In recent years several reports have claimed to demonstrate trans‐differentiation, namely that stem cells been derived from a given tissue and differentiated into phenotypes characteristic of different tissues following transplantation or in vitro treatment. For example, the mesenchymal cells, also referred as marrow stromal (MSCs), present bone marrow, induced differentiate neurons. We decided investigate this phenomenon more depth by molecular morphological follow‐up. analyzed biochemical pathways are currently trigger neuron‐like commitment maturation MSCs. Our studies suggest that: (i) increase cAMP, MSCs, activates classical PKA pathway not through exchange protein directly activated cAMP (EPAC), guanine nucleotide factor for small GTPase Rap1 Rap2; (ii) MEK–ERK signaling could contribute neural differentiation; (iii) CaM KII activity seems dispensable neuron differentiation. On contrary, its inhibition rescuing differentiating death. research indicates used differentiation protocols, while they allow early steps take place, able further sustain process. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.