Schwann cells derived from bone marrow stromal cells – in vitro study with dorsal root ganglia and in vivo study with peripheral nerve conduits

Abstract

Schwann cell (SC) transplantation enhances functional recovery after nerve injury. SC-seeded nerve conduit is one possible model for facilitating nerve regeneration. Donor site morbidity however remains a concern. In the present study, we aimed to derive SC from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) as an alternative. BMSC were obtained from femurs of adult SD rats and tested for stem cell characteristics by adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Differentiation along the SC path was triggered by a series of trophic factor and subsequently established by co-culture with dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The derived cells acquired SC morphology and >95% of them were positive for the SC markers p75 and S100b. No loss of such characteristics was observable when cells were maintained in culture for 4 weeks. The derived cells were further tested for myelination in vitro myelination in cocultures with DRG and in vivo in nerve bridge experiments with chitosan conduits.