Neural stem cells (NSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can differentiate into many cell types in vitro. In this study, we isolated and established an NSC line from fetal Ovis aries. Based on the results of immunofluorescence staining, NSCs expressed Nestin, Pax6 and MAP2. Moreover, a reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction assay was used to biologically characterize the cell line. NSCs were induced to differentiate into neurogenic cells in vitro. They expressed MAP2, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and myelin basic protein (MBP). In this study, we successfully isolated and cultivated NSCs from the hippocampal tissue of fetal sheep. NSCs not only displayed a self-renewal capacity but also had the potential to differentiate into neurons and glial cells. This study provided valuable experimental data for NSC transplant research.

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The skin is a natural target of stem cell research because of its large size and easy accessibility. Cutaneous mesenchymal stem cells have shown to be a promising source of various adult stem cell or progenitor cell populations, which provide an important source of stem cell-based investigation. Nowadays, much work has been done on dermal-derived mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs) from humans, mice, sheep, and other mammals, but the literature on avian species has been rarely reported. As an animal model, the goose is an endemic species abounding in dermal tissues which is important in the global economy. In this study, we isolated and established the mesenchymal stem cell line from dermis tissue of goose, which were subcultured to passage 21 in vitro without loss of their functional integrity in terms of morphology, renewal capacity, and presence of mesenchymal stem cell markers. Cryopreservation and resuscitation were also observed in different passages. To investigate the biological characteristics of goose DMSCs, immunofluorescence, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and flow cytometry were used to detect the characteristic surface markers. Growth curves and the capacity of colony forming were performed to test the self-renew and proliferative ability. Furthermore, the DMSCs are induced to osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes in vitro. Our results suggest that DMSCs isolated from goose embryos possess similar biological characteristics to those from other species. The methods in establishment and cultivation of goose DMSCs line demonstrated a good self-renew and expansion potential in vitro, which provided a technological platform for preserving the valuable genetic resources of poultry and a great inspiration for in vitro investigation of avian MSCs.

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) play a crucial role in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue repair for its own unique features. However, up to date, the isolation and characterizations of multidifferentiation potentials of goose ADSCs are still uncertain. In this study, we successfully isolated ADSCs from goose inguinal groove in vitro for the first time and also attempted to unravel its fundamental differentiation potentials and genetic characteristics. The results showed that isolated ADSCs exhibited a typical fibroblast-like morphology and high proliferative potential, could be passaged for at least 40 passages and maintained high hereditary stability with more than 92.2% of cells were diploid (2n = 78) by G-banding analysis. Moreover, the ADSCs could express pluripotent marker gene (OCT4) and mesenchymal stem cells-related surface antigens, which are similar to previously reported human ADSCs. Additionally, the goose ADSCs could be induced to transdifferentiate into cells of three layers in vitro, such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and adipocytes derived from mesoderm, neurocytes from ectoderm, and hepatocytes of the endoderm. Most of all, we confirmed that the induced β-like cells and hepatocytes had metabolic functions similar to normal cells in vivo. Taken together, these results demonstrated the multidifferentiation potentials of ADSCs in vitro, which conferred an appealing candidate for cell regenerative therapy.