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Updated: May 28, 2026
Isolation and Cellular Phenotyping of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Synovial Fluid and Bone Marrow of Minipigs
Published on: July 2, 2016
Neurogenic and cardiomyogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from minipig bone marrow
B Mohana Kumar1, Geun-Ho Maeng, Yeon-Mi Lee
1Department of Theriogenology and Biotechnology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 660-701, Republic of Korea.
Abstract:
The present study investigated the potential of minipig bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) to differentiate in vitro into neuron- and cardiomyocyte-like cells. Isolated BM-MSCs exhibited a fibroblast-like morphology, expressed CD29, CD44 and CD90, and differentiated into osteocytes, adipocytes and chondrocytes. Upon induction in two different neuronal specific media, most of BM-MSCs acquired the distinctive morphological features and positively stained for nestin, neurofilament-M (NF-M), neuronal nuclei (NeuN), β-tubulin, galactocerebroside (Gal-C) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Expression of nestin, GFAP and NF-M was further demonstrated by RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. Following cardiomyogenic induction, MSCs exhibited a stick-like morphology with extended cytoplasmic processes, and formed cluster-like structures. The expression of cardiac specific markers α-smooth muscle actin, cardiac troponin T, desmin and α-cardiac actin was positive for immunofluorescence staining, and further confirmed by RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. In conclusion, our results showed the in vitro differentiation ability of porcine BM-MSCs into neuron-like and cardiomyocyte-like cells.
Insights
Minipig bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) can transform into neuron-like and cardiomyocyte-like cells in a lab setting. This study demonstrates the potential of porcine BM-MSCs for regenerative medicine applications.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Differentiation
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells with potential therapeutic applications.
- Porcine bone marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) are a promising model for studying stem cell differentiation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro differentiation potential of minipig BM-MSCs into neuron-like and cardiomyocyte-like cells.
- To characterize the expression of specific neuronal and cardiac markers following induction.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of minipig BM-MSCs.
- Induction of differentiation towards neuronal and cardiomyocyte lineages using specific media.
- Immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR/RT-qPCR for marker expression analysis.
Main Results:
- BM-MSCs exhibited fibroblast-like morphology and expressed MSC markers (CD29, CD44, CD90).
- Induced cells showed neuronal morphology and expressed markers like nestin, NF-M, NeuN, GFAP.
- Induced cells displayed cardiomyocyte morphology and expressed cardiac markers such as cTnT and desmin.
Conclusions:
- Minipig BM-MSCs possess the capacity for in vitro differentiation into both neuron-like and cardiomyocyte-like cells.
- These findings support the potential use of porcine BM-MSCs in regenerative medicine strategies.
