Electrophysiological study on differentiation of rat bone marrow stromal stem cells into neuron-like cells in vitro by edaravone.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the electrophysiological properties of differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived stromal stem cells (rBMSCs) to neuron-like cells in vitro by edaravone, a new type of free radical scavenger. METHODS: Stromal stem cells were separated from rat bone marrow with Ficoll-Paque reagent and expanded in different culture medium in vitro. rBMSCs were induced by edaravone containing serum-free L-DMEM. Morphologic observation and Western blot analysis including the expression of Nav1.6, Kv1.2, Kv1.3, Cav1.2 were performed, and whole patch-clamp technique was used. RESULTS: Cyton contraction and long processes were shown in differentiated stromal stem cells. Nav1.6, Kv1.2, Kv1.3 and Cav1.2 were expressed in both differentiated and undifferentiated cells. However, the expression of channel proteins in differentiated cells was up-regulated. Consistently, their resting potential and outward currents were also enhanced in the differentiated cells, which was especially significant in the outward rectifier potassium current. CONCLUSION: In vitro, neuron-like cells derived from rBMSCs, induced by edaravone, possess electrophysiological properties of neurons.