Wnt/PCP pathway regulates the migration and neural differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in vitro.

INTRODUCTION: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an excellent donor graft source due to their potential for self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation. However, the potential mechanisms involved in MSC homing and neural differentiation are still unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a chemokine, SDF-1α, and Wnt3a ligand on rat MSCs' migration and β-mercaptoethanol (BME)-induced neural differentiation of MSCs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: MSCs were isolated from rat bone marrow and cultured in vitro to passage 3. Scratch tests and transwell assays were used to estimate the effects of SDF-1α (25 ng/mL) and Wnt3a (10 ng/mL) on the migration of MSCs. The expression of Wnt/PCP pathway proteins RhoA, c-Jun, ATF2, and Wnt3a were assessed by Western blot. The 5 mM BME-induced neural differentiation of MSCs was determined by immunofluorescence to detect neuron- and astrocyte-specific markers such as nestin, GFAP, and Olig2.

RESULTS: Wnt3a promoted the migration ability of MSCs and regulated the expression of RhoA, c-Jun, and ATF2 proteins. MSCs could differentiate into neural stem cells and astrocytes. Wnt3a enhanced BME-induced neurogenesis in MSCs by increasing the protein expression of RhoA, c-Jun, and Wnt3a.

CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that the Wnt/PCP pathway promotes migration and neural differentiation of rat MSC.