Selective expansion and long-term culture of human Schwann cells from sural nerve biopsies.
Fragments of sural nerve biopsy specimens were cultured in the presence of the supernatant of lymphokine-activated killer cells, resulting in the selective outgrowth of cells with bipolar or tripolar morphology, reminiscent of that of Schwann cells. Immunofluorescent staining with antibodies to the S-100 protein, the low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor, and the surface Thy-1 antigen confirmed that these cultures contained more than 99% Schwann cells and no detectable fibroblasts. The mitotic activity of Schwann cells was measured by bromodeoxyuridine labeling, and was increased when the cells were grown in medium with lymphokine-activated killer cell supernatant compared with medium without this supernatant. In the presence of lymphokine-activated killer cell supernatant, Schwann cells could be maintained in continuous culture for a minimum of 8 months.
Van den Berg
L H
LH
Rudolf Magnus Research School in the Neurosciences, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Utrecht, Netherlands.
Bär
P R
PR
Sodaar
P
P
Mollee
I
I
Wokke
J J
JJ
Logtenberg
T
T
D001706:Biopsy; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008938:Mitosis; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000166:cytology*; D013997:Time Factors