ABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To observe expressions and changes of Tau protein, pSer202 and Tau protein's contents during the differentiation process of bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into neural cells, and discuss Tau's effects on it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EGF and bFGF were combined for the induction of 4th, 8th, and 12th-MSCs into neural cells. Expressions of Tau protein and pSer202 were tested by immunocytochemistry. ELISA assay was applied for testing Tau protein's contents during differentiation process.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Positive rates of Tau protein in uninduced MSCs of 4th, 8th, and 12th-MSCs were under < 6%; After 14-day induction, the cellular morphologic characteristics in different passages were very similar to neurons, positive rates of Tau protein had no significant differences between passages (P > 0.05), but had differences with their uninduced groups (P < 0.05). There hadn't had expression of pSer202 in uninduced and induced groups of passages. ELISA assay indicated that there was an upward tendency in Tau protein's contents during the 14-day induction process, those in the 14th day had no significant differences between passages too (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The increase in Tau protein's expressions and its non-phosphorylated state may make for MSCs differentiating into normal neural cells and formation of neuronal processes.</p>