·AIM:To detect the differentiation effects of retinal cells or extracts on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells(BMSC).·METHODS:Human fetal BMSC were previously labeled by carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl ester(CFSE),and co-cultured with retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)cells which were pre-treated with ultraviolet irradiation at a ratio of 1∶1 to induce the differentiation of BMSC for up to 14 days.In some assays,a retinal extract of bovine retinal extract(BRE)was added to detect the potential effects of retinal component on the differentiation of BMSC.In addition,neuron-specific enolase(NSE),Nestin and Glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP)immunostaining were performed to determine the characteristics of BMSC.·RESULTS:The results indicated that by co-cultured with RPE cells,fetal BMSC were differentiated into neural-like cells expressing special neuronal markers Nestin,GFAP and NSE.And the expression of these markers was obviously increased by BRE.·CONCLUSION:Retina derived cells and extracts can induce the differentiation of BMSC into neural-like cells.·