Real-Time Monitoring of Neural Differentiation ofHuman Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing

[摘要] Stem cells are useful for cell replacement therapy. Stem cell differentiation must be monitored thoroughly and precisely prior to transplantation. In this study we evaluated the usefulness of electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) forin vitroreal-time monitoring of neural differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). We cultured hMSCs in neuraldifferentiation media (NDM) for 6 days and examined the time-course of impedance changes with an ECIS array. We alsomonitored the expression of markers for neural differentiation, total cell count, and cell cycle profiles. Cellular expression ofneuron and oligodendrocyte markers increased. The resistance value of cells cultured in NDM was automatically measured in real-timeand found to increase much more slowly over time compared to cells cultured in non-differentiation media. The relatively slowresistance changes observed in differentiating MSCs were determined to be due to their lower growth capacity achieved byinduction of cell cycle arrest in G0/G1. Overall results suggest that the relatively slow change in resistance values measured byECIS method can be used as a parameter for slowly growing neural-differentiating cells. However, to enhance the competenceof ECIS forin vitroreal-time monitoring of neural differentiation of MSCs, more elaborate studies are needed.

[学科分类] 基础医学