title: Co-culture systems of human sweat gland derived stem cells and peripheral nerve cells: an in vitro approach for peripheral nerve regeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The treatment of peripheral nerve lesions still represents a clinical challenge. Several approaches such as novel biomaterials for nerve guides, addition of growth factors or cellular supplements moved in the focus of research. Especially the application of autologous stem cells is highly promising for future applications. Human sweat gland derived stem cells (hSGSCs) represent an easy accessible source of autologous adult stem cells and did already show a beneficial effect in dermal wound healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the effect of hSGSCs on neurite outgrowth of primary adult or prenatal Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons was analysed in an indirect co-culture model. Additionally, direct co-cultures with hSGSCs as a feeder layer were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adult and prenatal DRG neurons showed increased neurite outgrowth after 24 h co-culture with hSGSCs. The outgrowth increased significantly by the factors 5.6 and 2.6 respectively. Direct co-cultures revealed neurite alignment along the hSGSCs orientation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The paracrine influence of hSGSCs on neurite outgrowth, but also their ability to operate as a feeder layer with guidance properties shows great potential for future applications in peripheral nerve regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Fraunhofer Research Institution for Marine Biotechnology EMB, Lübeck, Germany.
authors.forename: Julia M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mehnert
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kisch
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brandenburger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D018920:Coculture Techniques / Q000379:methods; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D016501:Neurites / Q000502:physiology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D013545:Sweat Glands / Q000502:physiology*