Abstract:Objective To investigate the feasibility of differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into neural cells induced by small molecule compound FSDC (Forskolin, SB431542, DMH1, CHIR99021). Methods Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated by whole bone marrow adherence and identified by flow cytometry. Cells were cultured to the third generation, pre-induced with Forskolin-containing neuronal culture medium for 1 day, and formally induced for 3d with neuron culture medium containing Forskolin, SB431542, DMH1 and CHIR99021. The neuron culture medium was used as the control group. The neuron-differentiated cells were identified by observation of cell morphology, immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Results Rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were mainly spindle-shaped cells, showing irregular protrusions. The expression of CD90 and CD105 was positively detected by flow cytometry, while the expression of CD34 and CD45 was negative. After induction, the cells showed obvious neuromorphic changes. The positive expression of NSE, Nestin were detected by immunofluorescence. After 3 days of induction, Western blotting showed that the expression of NSE, Nestin and SOX1 in the experimental group was significantly increased compared with the control group (P?0.05). Conclusions Small molecule compounds combined with FSDC can induce neural differentiation of BMSCs.