Induction of mouse bone marrow derived stem cells into osteoblast-like cells by bone membrane extract

Objective To study the induction of mouse bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) into osteoblast-like cells applying bone membrane extract to provide sufficient seeding cells for bone tissue engineering. Methods ALP staining, RT-PCR and Western blot methods were utilized to characterize the osteoblast-like cells after transdifferentiation. Results The morphology of differentiated MSCs was changed from spindle shape into triangle, cub or polygon shape. ALP activity assay showed that ALP activity of transdifferentiated MSCs was higher than that of MSCs. The expression level of BMP-2 in bone membrane extract treated MSCs was higher than that of untreated MSCs, and also transdifferentiated MSCs expressed osteoblast cells associated four genes (Type(I) collagen, osteocalcin, ALP and BMP-2) by RT-PCR, but not in untreated MSCs. Conclusion Bone membrane extract as an inducer could induce mouse MSCs to transdifferentiate into osteoblast-like cells.