The Role Of Notch Signal Pathway Involved In Differentiation Of HMSCs Into Neuronal Cells

Cell transplantation has been considered as an effective strategy aiming at repairing damaged neurous system. Mesenchymal stem cell(MSC) is one kind of such cell for transplantation. MSCs can be induced to various tissue cells, such as osteblasts, chondrocytes, myocardial cells, smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, neurons and astrocytes in the presence of inductive factors. It has been found that Notch signaling pathway plays a key role in determinating the fate of stem cells. It can regulate cell differentiation in the gene level.For years, intensive attentions have been paid to Notch signaling. As an evolutionarily conserved interaction mechanism, Notch signaling plays an important role in proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of many cells. At present, most studies of human mesenchymal stem cells(hMSCs) focus on the cell morphology, special protein markers and differentiation conditions, but little is known about the signaling mechanism. Therefore, in the study, we intende to observe the expression of Notch-related genes in cells when induced into neuronal cells and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Notch signaling pathway.Aims:To identify the feasibility of transdifferentiation of hMSCs induced into neuronal cells; To detect the expression of Notch-related genes and analyze the possible role of Notch pathway during neural differentiation of hMSCs in vitro.