Academic Editor: Rebecca Piccarducci
Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) from bone marrow have been
reported to undergo the initial phases of neural differentiation in response to
an increase of intracellular cAMP. We investigated the possibility that a similar
effect applies to chorion-derived MSC. Methods: The intracellular
concentration of cAMP was increased either by forskolin, to promote its
synthesis, or by inhibitors of its degradation. The consequent reduction in the
expression of mesenchymal markers was associated with the appearance of
neuron-like morphology in a subset of cells. The effect was measured and
characterized using biomarkers and an inhibitor of cAMP response element-binding
protein (CREB). Results: The dramatic morphological change induced by
all the treatments that promoted intracellular cAMP was transient and peaked on
the third day. After that, cells returned to the typical fibroblast-like
appearance within 24 hours. The distinctive morphology was associated to the
expression of neuregulin 1, doublecortin, neuron-specific class III