Basic fibroblast growth factor exhibits a high affinity for heparin. Heparin combined with basic fibroblast growth factor significantly contributes to the differentiation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into motor neurons.
Xueyuan Liu and colleagues from Liaoning Medical University found that the third passage of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells induced with heparin and basic fibroblast growth factor exhibited neuronal morphology, and Hb9 expression and acetylcholine levels increased following induction with heparin combined with basic fibroblast growth factor.
Basic fibroblast growth factor combined with heparin caused a significant increase in the expression of Hb9.
(Photo Credit: Neural Regeneration Research)
These findings, published in the Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 8, No. 22, 2013), indicate that heparin combined with basic fibroblast growth factor can noticeably promote the differentiation of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into motor neuron-like cells. This technology is expected to prevent and treat muscular atrophy caused by peripheral nerve injury.
Source: Neural Regeneration Research