Primary Cortical Neuron Axonal Outgrowth Assay

Axonal outgrowth was measured, as previously described [²⁵]. Briefly, primary cortical neurons were harvested from pregnant (embryonic day 18) Wistar rats. A microfluidic chamber (Standard Neuron Device; Xona Microfluidics, Temecula, CA, http://xonamicrofluidics.com) was used to separate axons from neuronal soma [²⁶]. The experimental groups were (a) control, no treatment; (b) +50% of DM-BMSC-conditioned medium; (c) +50% of miR-145+/+DM-BMSC-conditioned medium; and (d) +50% of miR-145−/−DM-BMSC-conditioned medium.