Expression changes of DSCAM in induction of MSCs to differentiate into neurons

Abstract: Objective. To explore the role of Down syndrome cellular adhesion molecule (DSCAM) in the course of the rat marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiated to neurons in vitro. Methods. MSCs from Sprague-Dawley rats were induced into neurons by baicalin. Immunocytochemistry, Western blot and other methods were performed to detect DSCAM in neurons. At the same time, RNA interfere technique was performed to observe the induction and differentiation after DSCAM-siRNA was transfected into MSCs. Results Before induction, the expression of DSCAM was not detectable in MSCs. After 24h pre-induction, DSCAM was slightly expressed in MSCs (1.71﹪±0.67﹪).After 6h induction by baicalin, the expression of DSCAM increased (15.79﹪±4.24﹪) and reached the peak (53.16﹪±5.94﹪) after 3d induction. After 6d induction, DSCAM expression obviously decreased (28.99 ﹪ ±6.72 ﹪). After DSCAM-siRNA was transfected into MSCs, DSCAM expression obviously decreased. However, MSCs did not express neuron-specific β-III-tubulin, expression of β-III-tubulin was (1.40﹪±0.79﹪) after 6h induction, （41.59%±3.17%） after 3d induction and (59.11﹪±4.76﹪) after 6d induction. But after DSCAM-siRNA was transfected into MSCs, expression of β-III-tubulin obviously decreased （28.57%±2.91%、43.90%±12.31% ） after 3d and 6d induction. Conclusions. DSCAM might play an important role in MSCs differentiation into neurons. [Life Science Journal. 2009