Fig. 2

Characterisation and terminal differentiation of MSCs-derived NPCs. a Rat MSCs detached from the culture surface and formed free-floating neurospheres (Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5). Images were viewed and taken under an inverted light microscope at 20 × magnification; scale bar = 50 µm. b Cell viability of NPCs determined using MTS assay at days 1, 2, 3, and 4 post-induction. The mean ± SD of three independent experiments are shown. *P < 0.05. c NPCs positively expressed marker used to characterise neural stem cell, Sox-2, and showed low expression of fibronectin. Images were taken under confocal microscopy at 20 × magnification; scale bare = 40 µm. d NPCs adhered to the culture surface and differentiated into cells with neuronal-like morphology. The representative image was taken under an inverted light microscope at 20 × magnification, scale bar = 50 µm. e Beta-3-tubulin and f PSD-95 expression indicating the neurons. Images were taken under confocal microscope at 20 × (scale bar = 20 µm) and 40 × (scale bar = 50 µm), respectively. g Microelectrode pipette approaches a neuronal-like cell during whole-cell patch-clamp recording. The image was taken using a phone camera. h Representative figure of miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) of neuronal-like cells showing spikes (∆) compared to undifferentiated rat MSCs. Cells were recorded in voltage-clamp at -60 mV