In Vitro Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Hair Cells Using Growth Factors.

OBJECTIVE In this study, we attempted to differentiated human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) to auditory hair cells using growth factors. METHODS Retinoic acid (RA), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were added to hBMSCs cell culture medium. The cells were evaluated morphologically and the expression of SOX2, POU4F3, MYO7A, and Calretinin at mRNA level and ATOH1 mRNA and protein expression. RESULTS After treatment with the growth factors, the morphology of the cells did not change, but evaluation of gene expression at the mRNA level increased the expression of the ATOH1, SOX2, and POU4F3 markers. Growth factors increased the expression of ATOH1 at the protein level. The expression of calretinin showed decreased and MYO7A no significant change in expression. CONCLUSION hBMSCs have the potential to differentiate to hair cell-like using the RA, bFGF, and EGF.