Directed differentiation of human bone marrow stromal cells to fate-committed Schwann cells

Abstract

Transplantation of oligodendrocyte precursors represents a potential therapy for myelin disorders but requires a safe and accessible cell source. Here we report the directed differentiation of neural progenitors derived from adult bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) into oligodendrocyte precursors for cell therapy purpose. Neural progenitors among BMSCs could be culture expanded in non-adherent sphere-forming conditions and directed to differentiate along the oligodendrocyte lineage. BMSC-derived oligodendrocyte precursors (BM-OPs) differentiated into myelin basic protein (MBP)-positive oligodendrocyte when co-cultured with purified dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. Injection of BM-OPs into the brain of myelin deficient Shiverer mice resulted in the generation of MBP-positive oligodendrocyte and compact myelin. Our results provided pointers to adult BMSCs as a readily accessible source of OPs towards cell therapy for myelin disorders.