Sources of human Schwann cells and the influence of donor age.
We evaluated several tissues as possible sources for culturing human Schwann cells. The average cell yield (total cell number/mg of nerve fascicle) obtained from adult autopsy cases and transplant organ donors was similar (2 x 10(4) and 2.9 x 10(4), respectively), but significantly higher yields were obtained from dorsal roots of pediatric patients undergoing selective dorsal rhizotomy (6.1 x 10(4)). Fresh tissue was not essential since cells isolated from 0 to 20 h postmortem were equally viable. However, we found evidence that donor age affects the intrinsic growth rate of Schwann cells and perineurial fibroblasts in culture.
Boyer
P J
PJ
Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor 48109.
Tuite
G F
GF
Dauser
R C
RC
Muraszko
K M
KM
Tennekoon
G I
GI
Rutkowski
J L
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D014019:Tissue Donors