Differentiation potential of human CD133 positive hematopoietic stem cells into motor neuron- like cells, in vitro

•Human cord blood CD133+ cells acquired motor neuron-like characteristics after exposure to RA, Shh and BDNF.•The cells could express motor neuron markers such as Isl-1, SMI-32 and AChE as indicated by flowcytometry.•The differentiated CD133+ cells could express motor neuron related genes at levels comparable with the undifferentiated cells. Spinal cord injuries and motor neuron-related disorders impact on life of many patients around the world. Since pharmacotherapy and surgical approaches were not efficient to regenerate these types of defects; stem cell therapy as a good strategy to restore the lost cells has become the focus of interest among the scientists. Umbilical cord blood CD133+ hematopoietic stem cells (UCB- CD133+ HSCs) with self- renewal property and neural lineage differentiation capacity are ethically approved cell candidate for use in regenerative medicine. In this regard the aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the capability of these cells to differentiate into motor neuron-like cells (MNL), in vitro. CD133+ HSCs were isolated from human UCB using MACS system. After cell characterization using flow cytometry, the cells were treated with a combination of Retinoic acid, Sonic hedgehog, Brain derived neurotrophic factor, and B27 through a 2- step procedure for two weeks. The expression of MN-specific markers was examined using qRT- PCR, flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. By the end of the two-week differentiation protocol, CD133+ cells acquired unipolar MNL morphology with thin and long neurites. The expression of Isl-1(62.15%), AChE (41.83%), SMI-32 (21.55%) and Nestin (17.46%) was detected using flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. The analysis of the expression of PAX6, ISL-1, ACHE, CHAT and SMI-32 revealed that MNLs present these neural markers at levels comparable with undifferentiated cells. In Conclusion Human UCB- CD133+ HSCs are remarkably potent cell candidates to transdifferentiate into motor neuron-like cells, in vitro.