MicroRNA-124a regulates the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into neurons.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of microRNA-124a on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and its underlying mechanism.

Methods: Flow cytometry was used for isolation and identification of BMSCs. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect gene mRNA expression. Apoptosis was detected using Annexin V-FITC/PI Apoptosis Detection Kit. Cell proliferation ability was tested using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8). The differentiation of BMSCs into neuron inducers β-thiol ethanol or baicalin formed the basis of the study.

Results: β-thiol ethanol markedly suppressed the microRNA-124a expression of BMSCs, baicalin markedly induced the microRNA-124a expression of BMSCs and β-thiol ethanol or baicalin promoted apoptosis and reduced the growth of BMSCs. Only the microRNA-124a inhibitor did not affect apoptosis or the differentiation of BMSCs, and it increased the effects of β-thiol ethanol or baicalin on the apoptosis of BMSCs.

Conclusion: β-thiol ethanol and baicalin treatment could affect microRNA-124a expression in BMSCs. We demonstrated that microRNA-124a promoted the differentiation of BMSCs into neurons.