Induction of differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of rat into hepatocyte and study of their biochemical factors

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multi potential and capable of differentiating into specialized tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the induction of differentiation of the bone marrow MSCs of rat into hepatocytes by use of fibroblast growth factor-2 (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and oncostatin M (OSM) in order to find a suitable source of hepatoecytes for bioartificial liver or liver transplantation. In this research MSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of rat and cultured in DMEM-LG medium supplemented with 15% FBS. These cells were treated with differential medium supplemented with HGF, bFGF and OSM for 24 days. Morphology, RT-PCR and Biochemical assays were used to identify the differentiation of stem cells into hepatic cells. MSCs took a round shape after differentiation, while undifferentiated cells had fibroblast-like morphology. Albumin, urea and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected in differentiated cells. Alkaline phosphatase activity was confirmed by biochemical tests. The mRNA expression of CK-18 and tyrosine amino transferase (TAT) in differentiated cells was demonstrated by RT-PCR after induction. The rat MSCs from bone marrow can differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells in the presence of HGF, bFGF and OSM in vitro. Cytokines may play an important role in differentiation of bone marrow MSCs of rat into hepatocytes. Bone marrow derived MSCs are a new source of cell types which can be used for cell transplantation in hepatic diseases.