Objective    To explore whether the neurons induced from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have synapse function or not.     Methods    Passage 4-5 MSCs in good shape was induced by Salvia miltiorrhiza with optimized protocol for several times

and then the observation under inverted phase contrast microscope

immunofluorocytochemistry and the measurement of neurophysiological function were carried out. Ca

2+

influx and synapse function were detected with laser-scanning confocal microscopy(LSCM)

taking 50 mmol/L KCl as stimuli to evoke action potential.     Results    The cells that had been induced for 5 h a

t 4th time from MSCs

looked like neurons and displayed that the processes stretched out to form complex net. Immunofluorocytochemistry presented that the rate of TUJ-1 expression was (96.7±2.8)% and that of synaptophysin was (96.2±2.1)%. When the neuron-like cells were stimulated by high concentration of KCl

intracellular Ca

2+

influx enhanced quickly. When the neuron-like cells were stimulated by high KCl solution for the first time

SynaptoRed-C2 anchored onto the membrane

and after the second excitation

the fluorescence intensity decreased quickly.     Conclusion    The neuron-like cells derived from MSCs that are induced by salvia miltiorrhiza with optimized protocol have synapse function.