Isolation of multilineage progenitors from mouse brain

Stem cells are unique cell populations with the ability to undergo self-renewal and differentiation. These cells have been identified in a wide range of tissues and possess varied differentiation potentials. Tissue-specific stem cells have typically been thought to have limited differentiation capabilities. We show here that fibroblast-like cells isolated from mouse brain possess cross-germ layer differentiation abilities. These cells were found to express typical mesenchymal stem cell markers (CD44, CD29, and CD105) and were able to be passaged more than 50 times. When treated under defined conditions, the brain-derived cells were able to generate many different cell types including adipocytes, osteocytes, astrocytes, neurons, and even hepatocyte-like cells. The hepatocyte-like cells not only expressed liver cell-specific markers, but also exhibited the capacity for glycogen storage and low-density lipoprotein uptake. These results demonstrate the existence of cells in the brain with three-germ-layer differentiation potential.