Differentiation of human olfactory system-derived stem cells into dopaminergic neuron-like cells: A comparison between olfactory bulb and mucosa as two sources of stem cells.

Cell transplantation has become a possible therapeutic approach in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases of the nervous system by replacing lost cells. The current study aimed to make a comparison between the differentiation capacity of the olfactory bulb neural stem cells (OB-NSCs) and olfactory ectomesenchymal stem cells (OE-MSCs) into dopaminergic-like neurons under the inductive effect of transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß). After culturing and treating with TGF-ß, the differentiation capacities of both types of stem cells into dopaminergic neuron-like cells were evaluated. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis 3 weeks after induction demonstrated that the mRNA expression of the dopaminergic activity markers tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine transporter (DAT), paired box gene 2 (PAX2), and PAX5 in the neuron-like cells derived from OB-NSCs was significantly higher than those derived from OE-MSCs. These findings were further supported by the immunocytochemistry staining showing that the expression of the tyrosine hydroxylase, DAT, PAX2, and paired like homeodomain 3 seemed to be slightly higher in OB-NSCs compared with OE-MSCs. Despite the lower differentiation capacity of OE-MSCs, other considerations such as a noninvasive and easier harvesting process, faster proliferation attributes, longer life span, autologous transplantability, and also the easier and inexpensive cultural process of the OE-MSCs, cumulatively make these cells the more appropriate alternative in the case of autologous transplantation during the treatment process of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease.

Olfactory mucosa stem cells: An available candidate for the treatment of the Parkinson's disease.

Olfactory ectomesenchymal stem cells (OE-MSCs) possess the immunosuppressive activity and regeneration capacity and hold a lot of promises for neurodegenerative disorders treatment. This study aimed to determine OE-MSCs which are able to augment and differentiate into functional neurons and regenerate the CNS and also examine whether the implantation of OE-MSCs in the pars compacta of the substantia nigra (SNpc) can improve Parkinson's symptoms in a rat model-induced with 6-hydroxydopamine. We isolated OE-MSCs from lamina propria in olfactory mucosa and characterized them using flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. The therapeutic potential of OE-MSCs was evaluated by the transplantation of isolated cells using a rat model of acute SN injury as a Parkinson's disease. Significant behavioral improvement in Parkinsonian rats was elicited by the OE-MSCs. The results demonstrate that the expression of PAX2, PAX5, PITX3, dopamine transporter, and tyrosine hydroxylase was increased by OE-MSCs compared to the control group which is analyzed with real-time polymerase chain reaction technique and immunohistochemical staining. In the outcome, the transplantation of 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3'3'-tetramethyl indocarbocyanine perchlorate labeled OE-MSCs that were fully differentiated to dopaminergic neurons contribute to a substantial improvement in patients with Parkinson's. Together, our results provide that using OE-MSCs in neurodegenerative disorders might lead to better neural regeneration.