title: Schwann-like cells can be induction from human nestin-positive amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells.
abstract: We examined the morphological, phenotypic, and functional characteristics of human amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem cells (AF-MSCs) differentiated towards a Schwann cell lineage. Initially, we induced human AF-MSCs into nestin-positive AF-MSCs. And then, these nestin-positive AF-MSCs were induced into floating neurospheres. After that, neurospheres were induced to differentiate into Schwann-like cells using glia growth factors. In comparison with AF-MSCs, nestin-positive AF-MSCs significantly increased the ratio of neurosphere formation and the percentage of nestin expression in the neurosphere. Differentiated AF-MSCs showed morphological changes similar to those found in Schwann cells. Expression of the Schwann cell markers was determined by immunocytochemical staining and western blotting. Furthermore, differentiated AF-MSCs could promote neurite outgrowth in co-culture with dorsal root ganglia neurons. These results suggest that conversion of human nestin-positive AF-MSCs into cells with Schwann-like cell characteristics is possible and that these cells may have the potential for future cellular therapy for peripheral neurological disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 100039, China.
authors.forename: Tai-Mao
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Zhi-Jun
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chui-Ze
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Hong-Tian
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D064231:Nestin; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; C577484:NES protein, human; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D064231:Nestin