title: Schwann-spheres derived from injured peripheral nerves in adult mice--their in vitro characterization and therapeutic potential.
abstract: Multipotent somatic stem cells have been identified in various adult tissues. However, the stem/progenitor cells of the peripheral nerves have been isolated only from fetal tissues. Here, we isolated Schwann-cell precursors/immature Schwann cells from the injured peripheral nerves of adult mice using a floating culture technique that we call "Schwann-spheres." The Schwann-spheres were derived from de-differentiated mature Schwann cells harvested 24 hours to 6 weeks after peripheral nerve injury. They had extensive self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. They strongly expressed the immature-Schwann-cell marker p75, and differentiated only into the Schwann-cell lineage. The spheres showed enhanced myelin formation and neurite growth compared to mature Schwann cells in vitro. Mature Schwann cells have been considered a promising candidate for cell-transplantation therapies to repair the damaged nervous system, whereas these "Schwann-spheres" would provide a more potential autologous cell source for such transplantation.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Takehiko
authors: T
authors: Takagi
authors: Ken
authors: K
authors: Ishii
authors: Shinsuke
authors: S
authors: Shibata
authors: Akimasa
authors: A
authors: Yasuda
authors: Momoka
authors: M
authors: Sato
authors: Narihito
authors: N
authors: Nagoshi
authors: Harukazu
authors: H
authors: Saito
authors: Hirotaka J
authors: HJ
authors: Okano
authors: Yoshiaki
authors: Y
authors: Toyama
authors: Hideyuki
authors: H
authors: Okano
authors: Masaya
authors: M
authors: Nakamura
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D018874:Spheroids, Cellular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins