Minimally manipulated autologous adherent bone marrow cells (ABMCs):a promising cell therapy of spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injury（SCI）is a devastating ailment that results in drastic life style alterations for the patients and their family members（Mc Donald and Sadowsky,2002）.Damage post injury causes necrosis,edema,hemorrhage and vasospasm.Post injury,secondary damage is caused by ischemia,

Bone marrow cells produce nerve growth factor and promote angiogenesis around transplanted islets

AIM:To clarify the mechanism by which bone marrow cells promote angiogenesis around transplanted islets.METHODS: Streptozotocin induced diabetic BALB/ c mice were transplanted syngeneically under the kidney capsule with the following: (1) 200 islets (islet group: n=12), (2) 1-5×106 bone marrow cells (bone marrow group: n=11), (3) 200 islets and 1-5×106 bone marrow cells (islet + bone marrow group: n= 13), or (4) no cells (sham group:n=5). All mice were evaluated for blood glucose, serum insulin, serum nervegrowth factor (NGF) and glucose tolerance (GTT) up to postoperative day (POD) 14. Histological assessment for insulin, von Willebrand factor (vWF) and NGF was performed at POD 3, 7 and 14.RESULTS: Blood glucose level was lowest and serum insulin was highest in the islet + bone marrow group. Serum NGF increased in islet, bone marrow, and islet + bone marrow groups after transplantation, and there was a significant difference (P=0.0496, ANOVA) between the bone marrow and sham groups. The number of vessels within the graft area was signif icantly increased in both the bone marrow and islet + bone marrow groups at POD 14 as compared to the islet alone group (21.2 ± 3.6 in bone marrow, P=0.01, vs islet group, 22.6 ± 1.9 in islet + bone marrow, P = 0.0003, vs islet group, 5.3 ± 1.6 in islet-alone transplants). NGF was more strongly expressed in bone marrow cells compared with islets. CONCLUSION: Bone marrow cells produce NGF and promote angiogenesis. Islet co-transplantation with bone marrow is associated with improvement of islet graft function.

Therapy with bone marrow cells reduces liver alterations in mice chronically infected by Schistosoma mansoni

AIM： To investigate the potential of bone marrow mononuclear cells （BM-MCs） in the regeneration of hepatic lesions induced by Schistosoma mansoni （S.mansoni） chronic infection. METHODS： Female mice chronically infected with S.rnansoni were treated with BM-MCs obtained from male green fluorescent protein （GFP） transgenic mice by intravenous or intralobular injections. Control mice received injections of saline in similar conditions, Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） assay for transforming growth factor-beta （TGF-β）, polymerase chain reaction （PCR） for GFP DNA, immunofluorescence and morphometric studies were performed. RESULTS： Transplanted GFP^＋ cells migrated to granuloma areas and reduced the percentage of liver fibrosis. The presence of donor-derived cells was confirmed by Fluorescence in situ hybridization （FISH） analysis for detection of cells bearing Y chromosome and by PCR analysis for detection of GFP DNA. The levels of TGF-β, a cytokine associated with fibrosis deposition, in liver fragments of mice submitted to therapy were reduced. The number of oval cells in liver sections of S.mansoni-infected mice increased 3-4 fold after transplantation. A partial recovery in albumin expression, which is decreased upon infection with S.mansoni, was found in livers of infected mice after cellular therapy. CONCLUSION： In conclusion, transplanted BMCs migrate to and reduce the damage of chronic fibrotic liver lesions caused by S.mansoni.

Induction of Chromosomal Aberrations by Propoxur in Mouse Bone Marrow Cells

Propoxur is a widely used dithiocarbamate insecticide. In this study, the clastogenic effect of propoxur has been evaluated using chromosomal aberration assay in mouse bone marrow cells. Single i. p. administration of propoxur, at 25 mg/kg b.wt., a maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and 12 .5mg/kg b.wt (50% of MTD) have significantly induced different types of aberrations after 24 h of treatment. The aberrations were dose and time dependent and reached a maximum after 24 h of exposure. The sresult suggest a genotoxic potential of propoxur.

An Enzymologic Study on Bone Marrow Cells in Patients with Aplastic Anemia Treated by Supplementing the Kidney and Removing Blood Stasis

The content of cytochrome oxidase (CCO), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and neutrophil alkaline phosphatase (NAP) in bone marrow cells in 68 cases of aplastic anemia before and after treatment was determined by computerized graphical analysis and compared with that of normal volunteers (control group). The significantly lowered CCO and SDH levels and the markedly increased NAP content before treatment (P<0.01) became approximately normal after that of supplementing the kidney and removing blood stasis (P >0.05).

Contribution of mononuclear bone marrow cells to carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in rats

AIM： To study the inhibitory effect of mononuclear bone marrow cell （BNC） transplantation on carbon tetrachloride （CCl4） -induced liver fibrosis in rats. METHODS： Rat liver fibrosis models were induced by CCl4 and alcohol administration. After 8 wk, twenty rats were randomly allocated into treatment group （n = 10） and control group （n = 10）. BMC were infused into the rats in treatment group via the portal vein, while heparinized saline was infused in control group. CCl4 was hypodermically injected into the rats twice a week for 4 wk. At the end of wk 12, all rats were humanely sacrificed. Uver samples were taken and stained with HE or Masson trichrome. The general conditions, liver fibrosis （hydroxyproline and collagen fibre） and liver pathological grades in rats were evaluated. RESULTS： The general conditions of the rats in treatment group improved markedly, but not in control group. Hydroxyproline was 504.6± 128.8 μg/g in treatment group, and 596.0 ± 341.8 μg/g in control group. The percentage of collagen fibre was 3.75% ± 0.98% in treatment group and 5.02% ± 0.44% in control group. There was a significant difference between the two groups （P 〈 0.05）. Liver pathological grade decreased from grade N to grade 11 partially in treatment group （P 〈 0.05） with no obvious improvement in control group （P 〉 0.05）. There was a significant difference between treatment group and control group （P 〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION： Transplantation of BMC can improve liver fibrosis due to chronic liver injury in rats.

Study on Biologic Activity for Membrane of Normal Bone Marrow Cells with Infection of Epidemic Hemorrhagic Fever Virus

Using DPH fluorescence probe, the membrane of normal bone marrow cells with infection of epidemic hemorrhagic fever virus (EHFV) was labeled. The membrane lipid fluidity was obviously decreased from the membrane lipid fluorescence polarization. The membrane lipid fluidity of lympho- cyte, monocyte and neutrophilic granulocyte was dynamically observed. After culturing the cells for 1, 6, 24 and 72 h, it was found that all the membrane lipid fluidity of the infected cells was de- creased obviously with the longer the culturing time, the more obvious it. Compared with the normal control groups, there was a significant difference statistically (P<0. 05-0. 01). It was suggested that the decrease of the membrane lipid fluidity of normal bone marrow cell with infection of EHFV had correlation with the degree of virus invading and cellfunction injury.

Hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells protect neurons from cardiac arrest-induced pyroptosis

Cardiac arrest can lead to severe neurological impairment as a result of inflammation,mitochondrial dysfunction,and post-cardiopulmonary resuscitation neurological damage.Hypoxic preconditioning has been shown to improve migration and survival of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells and reduce pyroptosis after cardiac arrest,but the specific mechanisms by which hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells protect against brain injury after cardiac arrest are unknown.To this end,we established an in vitro co-culture model of bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells and oxygen–glucose deprived primary neurons and found that hypoxic preconditioning enhanced the protective effect of bone marrow stromal stem cells against neuronal pyroptosis,possibly through inhibition of the MAPK and nuclear factor κB pathways.Subsequently,we transplanted hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells into the lateral ventricle after the return of spontaneous circulation in an 8-minute cardiac arrest rat model induced by asphyxia.The results showed that hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells significantly reduced cardiac arrest–induced neuronal pyroptosis,oxidative stress,and mitochondrial damage,whereas knockdown of the liver isoform of phosphofructokinase in bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibited these effects.To conclude,hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells offer a promising therapeutic approach for neuronal injury following cardiac arrest,and their beneficial effects are potentially associated with increased expression of the liver isoform of phosphofructokinase following hypoxic preconditioning.

Small extracellular vesicles from hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells attenuate spinal cord injury via miR-146a-5p-mediated regulation of macrophage polarization

Spinal cord injury is a disabling condition with limited treatment options.Multiple studies have provided evidence suggesting that small extracellular vesicles(SEVs)secreted by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)help mediate the beneficial effects conferred by MSC transplantation following spinal cord injury.Strikingly,hypoxia-preconditioned bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived SEVs(HSEVs)exhibit increased therapeutic potency.We thus explored the role of HSEVs in macrophage immune regulation after spinal cord injury in rats and their significance in spinal cord repair.SEVs or HSEVs were isolated from bone marrow MSC supernatants by density gradient ultracentrifugation.HSEV administration to rats via tail vein injection after spinal cord injury reduced the lesion area and attenuated spinal cord inflammation.HSEVs regulate macrophage polarization towards the M2 phenotype in vivo and in vitro.Micro RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses of SEVs and HSEVs revealed that mi R-146a-5p is a potent mediator of macrophage polarization that targets interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1.Reducing mi R-146a-5p expression in HSEVs partially attenuated macrophage polarization.Our data suggest that HSEVs attenuate spinal cord inflammation and injury in rats by transporting mi R-146a-5p,which alters macrophage polarization.This study provides new insights into the application of HSEVs as a therapeutic tool for spinal cord injury.

O-linkedβ-N-acetylglucosaminylation may be a key regulatory factor in promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells

Cumulative evidence suggests that O-linkedβ-N-acetylglucosaminylation(OGlcNAcylation)plays an important regulatory role in pathophysiological processes.Although the regulatory mechanisms of O-GlcNAcylation in tumors have been gradually elucidated,the potential mechanisms of O-GlcNAcylation in bone metabolism,particularly,in the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells(BMSCs)remains unexplored.In this study,the literature related to O-GlcNAcylation and BMSC osteogenic differentiation was reviewed,assuming that it could trigger more scholars to focus on research related to OGlcNAcylation and bone metabolism and provide insights into the development of novel therapeutic targets for bone metabolism disorders such as osteoporosis.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in treatment of peripheral nerve injury

Peripheral nerve injury(PNI)is a common neurological disorder and complete functional recovery is difficult to achieve.In recent years,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)have emerged as ideal seed cells for PNI treatment due to their strong differentiation potential and autologous trans-plantation ability.This review aims to summarize the molecular mechanisms by which BMSCs mediate nerve repair in PNI.The key mechanisms discussed include the differentiation of BMSCs into multiple types of nerve cells to promote repair of nerve injury.BMSCs also create a microenvironment suitable for neuronal survival and regeneration through the secretion of neurotrophic factors,extracellular matrix molecules,and adhesion molecules.Additionally,BMSCs release pro-angiogenic factors to promote the formation of new blood vessels.They modulate cytokine expression and regulate macrophage polarization,leading to immunomodulation.Furthermore,BMSCs synthesize and release proteins related to myelin sheath formation and axonal regeneration,thereby promoting neuronal repair and regeneration.Moreover,this review explores methods of applying BMSCs in PNI treatment,including direct cell trans-plantation into the injured neural tissue,implantation of BMSCs into nerve conduits providing support,and the application of genetically modified BMSCs,among others.These findings confirm the potential of BMSCs in treating PNI.However,with the development of this field,it is crucial to address issues related to BMSC therapy,including establishing standards for extracting,identifying,and cultivating BMSCs,as well as selecting application methods for BMSCs in PNI such as direct transplantation,tissue engineering,and genetic engineering.Addressing these issues will help translate current preclinical research results into clinical practice,providing new and effective treatment strategies for patients with PNI.

Effects of interleukin-10 treated macrophages on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway

BACKGROUND Alveolar bone defects caused by inflammation are an urgent issue in oral implant surgery that must be solved.Regulating the various phenotypes of macrophages to enhance the inflammatory environment can significantly affect the progression of diseases and tissue engineering repair process.AIM To assess the influence of interleukin-10(IL-10)on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)following their interaction with macrophages in an inflammatory environment.METHODS IL-10 modulates the differentiation of peritoneal macrophages in Wistar rats in an inflammatory environment.In this study,we investigated its impact on the proliferation,migration,and osteogenesis of BMSCs.The expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)and its activated form,phos-phorylated-STAT3,were examined in IL-10-stimulated macrophages.Subsequently,a specific STAT3 signaling inhibitor was used to impede STAT3 signal activation to further investigate the role of STAT3 signaling.RESULTS IL-10-stimulated macrophages underwent polarization to the M2 type through substitution,and these M2 macrophages actively facilitated the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.Mechanistically,STAT3 signaling plays a crucial role in the process by which IL-10 influences macrophages.Specifically,IL-10 stimulated the activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway and reduced the macrophage inflammatory response,as evidenced by its diminished impact on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.CONCLUSION Stimulating macrophages with IL-10 proved effective in improving the inflammatory environment and promoting the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.The IL-10/STAT3 signaling pathway has emerged as a key regulator in the macrophage-mediated control of BMSCs’osteogenic differentiation.

Overexpression of lentivirus-mediated glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor in bone marrow stromal cells and its neuroprotection for the PC12 cells damaged by lactacystin

Objective To construct recombinant lentiviral vectors for gene delivery of the glial cell line-derived neurotropnic factor （GDNF）, and evaluate the neuroprotective effect of GDNF on lactacystin-damaged PC12 cells by transfecting it into bone marrow stromal cells （BMSCs）. Methods pLenti6/V5-GDNF plasmid was set up by double restriction enzyme digestion and ligation, and then the plasmid was transformed into Top10 cells. Purified pLenti6/V5-GDNF plasmids from the positive clones and the packaging mixture were cotransfected to the 293FT packaging cell line by Lipofectamine2000 to produce lentivirus, then the concentrated virus was transduced to BMSCs. Overexpression of GDNF in BMSCs was tested by RT-PCR, ELISA and immunocytochemistry, and its neuroprotection for lactacystin-damaged PC12 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Results Virus stock of GDNF was harvested with the titer of 5.6×10^5 TU/mL. After tmnsduction, GDNF-BMSCs successfully secreted GDNF to supematant with nigher concentration （800 pg/mL） than BMSCs did （less than 100 pg/mL）. The supematant of GDNF-BMSCs could significantly alleviate the damage of PC12 cells induced by lactacystin （10 μmol/L）. Conclusion Overexpression of lentivirus-mediated GDNF in the BMSCs cells can effectively protect PC12 cells from the injury by the proteasome inhibitor.

Neuronal-like cell differentiation of non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells from C57BL/6J mice were sepa- rated and cultured using the ＂pour-off＂ method. Non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesen- chymal stem ceils developed colony-forming unit-fibroblasts, and could be expanded by supple- mentation with epidermal growth factor. Immunocytochemistry showed that the non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells exposed to basic fibroblast growth factor/epidermal growth factor/nerve growth factor expressed the neuron specific markers, neurofilament-200 and NeuN, in vitro. Non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells from 13-galactosidase transgenic mice were also transplanted into focal ischemic brain （right corpus striatum） of C57BL/6J mice. At 8 weeks, cells positive for LacZ and 13-galactosidase staining were observed in the ischemic tissues, and cells co-labeled with both 13-galactosidase and NeuN were seen by double immunohistochemical staining. These findings suggest that the non-adherent bone marrow cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells could differentiate into neuronal-like cells in vitro and in vivo.

Copper-induced liver fibrosis affects the behavior of bone marrow cells in primary culture

BACKGROUND： The present study investigated the effects （LMCC）, which were administered per os, on the differentiation, of rats in primary culture. of low-molecular-weight components of bovine colostrum growth, and survival of cells obtained from the bone marrow METHODS： Bone marrow cells （BMCs） were obtained from both the rat femurs and were cultured in medium 199 supplemented with antibiotics （8% streptomycin and 8% gentamycin） and 20% inactivated fetal calf serum. In addition, the number of BMCs was counted and their morphotypes were determined. RESULTS： Animals were treated with copper （Cu） sulfate to induce liver fibrosis. Subsequent treatment with LMCC eliminated growth inhibition and normalized the bodyweight and temperature of animals with Cu-induced liver fibrosis. The number of lymphocytes in the bone marrow of animals with Cu-induced liver fibrosis was significantly higher than that in the bone marrow of control animals. The number ofneutrophils in untreated animals with liver fibrosis and LMCC-treated animals with liver fibrosis was lower than that in control animals. Neutrophils obtained from untreated animals with liver fibrosis and LMCC-treated animals with liver fibrosis underwent two-times faster degradation in vitro than neutrophils obtained from control animals. CONCLUSIONS： Our results indicate that LMCC affects the distribution of different morphological types of BMCs but does not prevent their degradation in vitro, which was two-times faster than that of BMCs obtained from control animals.

Adult Bone Marrow Cells Can Be Converted into Brain Stem Cells for Transplantation

骨髓细胞移植入大脑后,不仅可在脑内继续存活,还会自行转换成大脑 传递神经脉冲的神经细胞,而且完全不会引发任何问题。这显示人体具有的自 行愈合功能会自动替代损坏的大脑细胞,这是人类过去未曾发现的。

Hydrogel loaded with bone marrow stromal cell-derived exosomes promotes bone regeneration by inhibiting inflammatory responses and angiogenesis

BACKGROUND Bone healing is a complex process involving early inflammatory immune regu-lation,angiogenesis,osteogenic differentiation,and biomineralization.Fracture repair poses challenges for orthopedic surgeons,necessitating the search for efficient healing methods.AIM To investigate the underlying mechanism by which hydrogel-loaded exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs)facilitate the process of fracture healing.METHODS Hydrogels and loaded BMSC-derived exosome(BMSC-exo)gels were charac-terized to validate their properties.In vitro evaluations were conducted to assess the impact of hydrogels on various stages of the healing process.Hydrogels could recruit macrophages and inhibit inflammatory responses,enhance of human umbilical vein endothelial cell angiogenesis,and promote the osteogenic differen-tiation of primary cranial osteoblasts.Furthermore,the effect of hydrogel on fracture healing was confirmed using a mouse fracture model.RESULTS The hydrogel effectively attenuated the inflammatory response during the initial repair stage and subsequently facilitated vascular migration,promoted the formation of large vessels,and enabled functional vascularization during bone repair.These effects were further validated in fracture models.CONCLUSION We successfully fabricated a hydrogel loaded with BMSC-exo that modulates macrophage polarization and angiogenesis to influence bone regeneration.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound reduces alveolar bone resorption during orthodontic treatment via Lamin A/C-Yes-associated protein axis in stem cells

BACKGROUND The bone remodeling during orthodontic treatment for malocclusion often requires a long duration of around two to three years,which also may lead to some complications such as alveolar bone resorption or tooth root resorption.Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound(LIPUS),a noninvasive physical therapy,has been shown to promote bone fracture healing.It is also reported that LIPUS could reduce the duration of orthodontic treatment;however,how LIPUS regulates the bone metabolism during the orthodontic treatment process is still unclear.AIM To investigate the effects of LIPUS on bone remodeling in an orthodontic tooth movement(OTM)model and explore the underlying mechanisms.METHODS A rat model of OTM was established,and alveolar bone remodeling and tooth movement rate were evaluated via micro-computed tomography and staining of tissue sections.In vitro,human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(hBMSCs)were isolated to detect their osteogenic differentiation potential under compression and LIPUS stimulation by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction,Western blot,alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining,and Alizarin red staining.The expression of Yes-associated protein(YAP1),the actin cytoskeleton,and the Lamin A/C nucleoskeleton were detected with or without YAP1 small interfering RNA(siRNA)application via immunofluorescence.RESULTS The force treatment inhibited the osteogenic differentiation potential of hBMSCs;moreover,the expression of osteogenesis markers,such as type 1 collagen(COL1),runt-related transcription factor 2,ALP,and osteocalcin(OCN),decreased.LIPUS could rescue the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs with increased expression of osteogenic marker inhibited by force.Mechanically,the expression of LaminA/C,F-actin,and YAP1 was downregulated after force treatment,which could be rescued by LIPUS.Moreover,the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs increased by LIPUS could be attenuated by YAP siRNA treatment.Consistently,LIPUS increased alveolar bone density and decreased vertical bone absorption in vivo.The decreased expression of COL1,OCN,and YAP1 on the compression side of the alveolar bone was partially rescued by LIPUS.CONCLUSION LIPUS can accelerate tooth movement and reduce alveolar bone resorption by modulating the cytoskeleton-Lamin A/C-YAP axis,which may be a promising strategy to reduce the orthodontic treatment process.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomeloaded miR-129-5p targets high-mobility group box 1 attenuates neurological-impairment after diabetic cerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND Diabetic intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)is a serious complication of diabetes.The role and mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell(BMSC)-derived exosomes(BMSC-exo)in neuroinflammation post-ICH in patients with diabetes are unknown.In this study,we investigated the regulation of BMSC-exo on hyperglycemia-induced neuroinflammation.AIM To study the mechanism of BMSC-exo on nerve function damage after diabetes complicated with cerebral hemorrhage.METHODS BMSC-exo were isolated from mouse BMSC media.This was followed by transfection with microRNA-129-5p(miR-129-5p).BMSC-exo or miR-129-5poverexpressing BMSC-exo were intravitreally injected into a diabetes mouse model with ICH for in vivo analyses and were cocultured with high glucoseaffected BV2 cells for in vitro analyses.The dual luciferase test and RNA immunoprecipitation test verified the targeted binding relationship between miR-129-5p and high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1).Quantitative polymerase chain reaction,western blotting,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were conducted to assess the levels of some inflammation factors,such as HMGB1,interleukin 6,interleukin 1β,toll-like receptor 4,and tumor necrosis factorα.Brain water content,neural function deficit score,and Evans blue were used to measure the neural function of mice.RESULTS Our findings indicated that BMSC-exo can promote neuroinflammation and functional recovery.MicroRNA chip analysis of BMSC-exo identified miR-129-5p as the specific microRNA with a protective role in neuroinflammation.Overexpression of miR-129-5p in BMSC-exo reduced the inflammatory response and neurological impairment in comorbid diabetes and ICH cases.Furthermore,we found that miR-129-5p had a targeted binding relationship with HMGB1 mRNA.CONCLUSION We demonstrated that BMSC-exo can reduce the inflammatory response after ICH with diabetes,thereby improving the neurological function of the brain.

Bone Marrow Stromal Cells Express Neural Phenotypes in vitro and Migrate in Brain After Transplantation in vivo

Objective To investigate the differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells （BMSC） into neuron-like cells and to explore their potential use for neural transplantation. Methods BMSC from rats and adult humans were cultured in serum-containing media. Salvia miltiorrhiza was used to induce human BMSC （hBMSC） to differentiate. BMSC were identified with immunocytochemistry. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to examine mRNA expression of neurofilamentl （NF1）, nestin and neuron-specific enolase （NSE） in rat BMSC （rBMSC）. Rat BMSC labelled by Hoschst33258 were transplanted into striatum of rats to trace migration and distribution. Results rBMSC expressed NSE, NFI and nestin mRNA, and NF1 mRNA and expression was increased with induction of Salvia miltiorrhiza. A small number of hBMSC were stained by anti-nestin, anti-GFAP and anti-S 100. Salvia miltiorrhiza could induce hBMSC to differentiate into neuron-like cells. Some differentiated neuron-like cells, that expressed NSE, beta-tubulin and NF-200, showed typical neuron morphology, but some neuron-like cells also expressed alpha smooth muscle protein, making their neuron identification complicated, rBMSC could migrate and adapted in the host brains after being transplanted. Conclusion Bone marrow stromal cells could express phenotypes of neurons, and Salvia milliorrhiza could induce hBMSC to differentiate into neuron-like cells, If BMSC could be converted into neurons instead of mesenchymal derivatives, they would be an abundant and accessible cellular source to treat a variety of neurological diseases.