Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into neurons, which

can be used in cell therapy. Endogenous genes and neurotrophic factors such

as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and

neurotrophin-3 regulate neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation (NT-3).

The differentiation of MSCs into neurons is characterized by the development

of neurons that interact with each other to form rings or net-like structures. The

markers of neurons in the immature stage are Nestin andVimentin.While themarkers

for neurons at the mature stage are neuron-specific enolase (NSE), neuronalspecific

nuclear protein (NeuN), and microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP-2).

This research aims to investigate the expression of MAP-2 on the differentiation

of MSCs into mature neurons.MSCs were isolated from rat bone marrow of femur

and tibia using flushing methods, then cultured in Minimum Essential Medium

Eagle (MEM), 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS), and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic.

Neuron differentiation inductionmedium (MEM,2%FBS,1%insulin-like growth

factor (N2), and NT-3 20, 25, and 30 ng/mL) was used to stimulate MSCs for

14 days (control induction medium without NT-3). The immunocytochemistry of

MAP-2 was performed on day 14. All experiments were done triplicated. The data

obtained is the average percentage of the number of MAP-2 positive cells at each

concentration. SPSS statistical analysis with a one-way ANOVA test. The results

showed a significant difference between the percentage of MAP-2 positive cells

at NT-3 concentrations 20 (p < 0.05), 25 (p = 0,093), 30 ng/mL (p = 0,081),

and the negative control. At concentrations of NT-3 20, 25, and 30 ng/mL the