目的：探讨缝隙连接细胞间通讯在丙戊酸诱导大鼠脂肪源干细胞（ADSCs）向许旺细胞分化中的作 用。方法：体外分离培养大鼠ADSCs并传至第3代，将ADSCs分别用不含丙戊酸（A组）、含1.0 mmol/L 丙 戊酸（B组）、1.0 mmol/L丙戊酸+2.5 μmol/L油酸酰胺（C组）的诱导液培养。显微镜下观察细胞形态变化， 分别用免疫细胞化学法和实时荧光定量PCR法检测各组中枢神经组织蛋白S100、神经元特异性烯醇化酶 （NSE）、巢蛋白（Nestin）、缝隙连接蛋白43（Cx43）的蛋白表达水平和mRNA转录水平。结果：B、C组S100、 NSE、Nestin蛋白表达水平和mRNA转录水平均显著高于A组（P＜0.01），C组低于B组（P＜0.01）；B、C组 Cx43蛋白表达水平和mRNA转录水平均显著高于A组，B、C组之间差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论： Cx43介导的缝隙连接细胞间通讯在丙戊酸诱导ADSCs向许旺细胞分化的过程中可能有重要作用。

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gap junction intercellular communication on the valproic acid-induced differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) into Schwann cells. Methods: ADSCs from rats were isolated and cultured. At passage 3, the cells were inoculated with medium containing no valproic acid (group A), 1.0 mmol/L valproic acid (group B), or 1.0 mmol/L valproic acid + 2.5 μmol/L oleamide (group C). Changes in cell morphology were observed by microscopy. Immunocytochemical staining and real-time quantitative PCR were employed to assess the protein expression and mRNA transcription levels of S100, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), Nestin, and Connexin-43 (Cx43). Results: Compared to group A, groups B and C showed a significant increase in the protein expression and mRNA transcription levels of S100, NSE, and Nestin (P<0.01), and group C showed lower levels than group B (P<0.01). Groups B and C also showed significantly higher levels of protein expression and mRNA transcription of Cx43 than group A, and there was no significant difference between group B and group C (P>0.05). Conclusion: Cx43-mediated gap junction intercellular communication may serve an important role in the valproic acid-induced differentiation of ADSCs into Schwann cells.