Neural differentiation of human adipose mesenchymal stem cells induced by conditioned media from Schwann cells or olfactory ensheathing cells.

It is already known that adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) may transdifferentiate into several cellular lines belonging to mesodermal, endodermal and ectodermal layers. The aim of the present study was to verify whether a neural differentiation of ASCs could be induced by conditioned media (CM) obtained from cultures of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) or Schwann cells (SCs). Adipose tissue obtained from aesthetic surgery interventions was collagenase digested and centrifuged. ASCs contained in the stromal vascular fraction were expanded for 2-3 passages. A portion of ASCs was used for their characterization as stem cells and two other portions were cultured in either CM for 6 days. At day 1, 3 and 6, they were tested by mmunocytochemistry and flow cytometry for the expression of some neural markers such as nestin, synapsin 1, GFAP and various Connexins (32, 36, 47), strongly expressed in neural cells. It has been found that for either CM all markers were overexpressed if compared to controls, with more evident outcomes when using OEC CM. In general, results were clearly present at day 3, and could be more evident at day 6. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that ASCs can be induced by environmental features toward a neural differentiation, either as neuronal or glial elements. This culture strategy provides valuable information in the development of cell-based therapy for central nervous system degenerative diseases.