19. In vitro Differentiation of Adipose-derived Stem Cells into Schwann Cells and in vivo Implications for Peripheral Nerve Defects

• Published in: Journal of Nippon Medical School Vol. 77; no. 2; p. 134
• Main Authors: Hakan Orbay, Ahmet Cagri Uysal, Kyoko Kobe, Hiroshi Mizuno, Hiko Hyakusoku
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: The Medical Association of Nippon Medical School 2010
• ISSN: 1345-4676; 1347-3409

Stem cell technology has evolved as a promising treatment modality for a variety of health problems that are difficult to treat. Peripheral nerve injury is one of them. This study involved both in vitro and in vivo steps. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) were differentiated in vitro with a Schwann cell induction medium. Immunohistochemical staining for Schwann cell proteins (S100, Integrine β4 and NGFR p75) and real-time PCR to detect the proteins' genes were employed. The cells were transplanted into nerve defects in the sciatic nerves of Fischer rats. The results were evaluated functionally (walking track analysis, nerve conduction velocity test) and histologically (immunohistochemical staining, hematoxylin and eosin staining, toluidine blue staining, scanning electron microscopy). The best nerve regeneration in terms of myelinated fiber density and myelinated/unmyelinated fiber ratio was in the ASC and differentiated ASC groups. The results of the walking track analysis and nerve conduction velocity test were grossly parallel with the histologic results. Moreover, our data strongly suggested that a small portion of the injected ASCs were differentiated into Schwann cells in vivo and that differentiated ASCs sustained their Schwann-cell characteristics in vivo. The results encourage further studies and indicate a promising future for the clinical application of ASCs in treating nerve defects.