Integrin ?5?1 mediated cellular reorganization in human mesenchymal stem cells during neuronal differentiation

Background/Aim: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been widely used for yielding neurons in culture to study nervous system pathologies and develop regenerative approaches. In this study, cellular rearrangements of human MSCs related to the expression of the fibronectin common receptor integrin alpha 5 beta 1 and its cell surface localization during neuronal differentiation, were examined. Materials and Methods: Proliferation kinetics of neuronal induced hMSCs (hMd-Neurons) were quantified by BrdU assay, and hMd-Neurons were immunostained for neuronal marker expression. Additionally, cDNA and protein samples were collected at different time points for integrin alpha 5 beta 1 expression analysis. Results: Endogenous integrin alpha 5 beta 1 expression was significantly upregulated by day 6 and maintained until day 12. Cell surface localization of alpha 5 beta 1 integrin was increased by day 6; the integrin was internalized into the cytosol by day 12. Conclusion: Integrin dynamics around day 6 of differentiation might be involved in neuronal differentiation and maturation or specification of hMd-Neurons.