Generation and Characterization of Neurospheres from Canine Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Cells

Abstract Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ADSCs) have been identified as a powerful stem cell source for cellular transplantation therapy. The dog is increasingly used as a model of human neurological disease; however, few studies have reported induction of canine ADSCs to neural lineages. We characterized canine ADSCs and investigated whether they could be induced to differentiate into neural lineages. Subcutaneous adipose tissue collected from the dorsal epaxial region of adult dogs aged from 1 to 6 years was cultured to produce ADSCs that were then induced to neural lineages. RT-PCR, flow cytometry, and immunocytochemistry were performed to characterize these cell populations. Morphologically fibroblast-like ADSCs were isolated and had similar characteristics to mesenchymal stem cells. Under neurogenic conditions containing basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor, ADSCs formed spherical cellular aggregates that resembled neurospheres. RT-PCR confirmed expression of Sox2 and CD90...