Adipose-derived Stem Cell-derived Schwann Cell Transplantation In The Treatment Of Rat Motor Cortex Injury Model

Schwann cells play an important role in axonal regeneration from peripheral nervous injuries. Rapid development of tissue engineering techniques gives rise to the possibility of treating central nervous injuries with Schwann cells, though some of the characteristics about Schwann cell greatly restrict its use as a seed cell, such as the limited cell sources and its low proliferation capability, etc. However, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) may solve this problem. Bone marrow Mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) which is one of MSCs have the potential of developing into Schwann cells. Adipose derived Mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs), which can be easily cultured in vitro, share a lot of biological traits in common with BMSCs, and become widely used as a promising seed cell option for the plentiful cell sources and abundant availability. In this experiment, ADSCs were derived from groin adipose tissue of SD rats. They were cultured and developed into Schwann cells in vitro. Then we transplanted some Schwann cells to treat motor cortex injuries of hemiparalysis rats and confirmed its preliminary therapeutic effects.MethodsAfter enzyme digestion, groin adipose tissue from SD rats were cultured in low glucose DMEM with 10% FBS, and were passaging in 37℃, 5% incubator. According to BMSCs differentiation protocol, the 4th passage cells in a sub-fusion state were differentiated to schwann cells whenβ- ME, ATRA, Forskolin, Heregulin, bFGF, BDNF were added in certain sequence. Immunohistochemical technique was used to confirm the cell type by acting against Schwann-cell specific markers, GFAP and S-100. Hemiparalysis rats were made by stereotactic lesion performed microscopically within rat motor cortex. Finally, Schwann cells derived from ADSCs were transplanted into injured cotex, and motor function of hemiparalysis rats was monitored and assessed by longo scoring. All the data were analysed using SPSS 13.0 software.ResultAfter collagenase I digestion, ADSCs were successfully isolated from groin adipose tissue of SD rats, from which Schwann cells were also successfully induced according to BMSCs differentiation protocol. Morphological tests and immunohistochemical staining against GFAP and S100 were performed to confirm its existence. Significant recovery of motor function were observed in hemiparalysis rats treated with ADSCs derived Schwann cells.Conclusion1. ADSCs can be isolated from groin adipose tissue of SD rats with collagenase I, and ADSCs can be cultured in vitro in low glucose DMEM with 10% FBS and 2 mmol/L L-glutamine.2. Schwann-like cells can be induced from ADSCs in vitro, expressing Schwann specific biological markers.3. Transplantation of Schwann cells derived from ADSCs can significantly improve the motor function of hemiparalysis rats with motor cortex injury...