원문정보
초록
영어
Gangliosides, sialic acid-conjugated glycosphingolipids, are involved in cell proliferation and differentiation. This study investigated the possible role of gangliosides in the dopaminergic neuron-like cells of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). We have reported the in vitro conditions for inducing hMSCs into dopaminergic neuron-like cells. hMSCs were induced in vitro to become dopaminergic neuron-like cells in 12 days by using a cocktail that includes sonic hedgehog and fibroblast growth factors. First, we investigated the characterization of hMSCs through FACS analysis. The mesenchymal stem cell specific markers, CD44 and CD105, were expressed in hMSCs while the hematopoetic markers, CD45 and CD117 were not. The cells developed a neuronal morphology expressing the neuronal markers Map2 and βⅢtubulin. RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of dopamine specific genes such as TH, Pitx3, Nurr1 and DA transporter. Immunocytochemistry showed that hMSCs expressed GM3, GM2, GD1a, GD3 and GT1b based on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression. Specifically, a significant decrease in GM3 and GT1b expression was observed during dopaminergic neuron differentiation. These results suggest that ganglioside GT1b may play a role in the dopaminergic neuron differentiation and development process of hMSCs.