The Effect of Hypoxic Preconditioning on Induced Schwann Cells under Hypoxic Conditions.
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to explore the protective effects of hypoxic preconditioning on induced Schwann cells exposed to an environment with low concentrations of oxygen. It has been observed that hypoxic preconditioning of induced Schwann cells can promote axonal regeneration under low oxygen conditions.


METHODS
Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were differentiated into Schwann cells and divided into a normal oxygen control group, a hypoxia-preconditioning group and a hypoxia group. The ultrastructure of each of these groups of cells was observed by electron microscopy. In addition, flow cytometry was used to measure changes in mitochondrial membrane potential. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining was used to detect apoptosis, and Western blots were used to detect the expression of Bcl-2/Bax. Fluorescence microscopic observations of axonal growth in NG-108 cells under hypoxic conditions were also performed.


RESULTS
The hypoxia-preconditioning group maintained mitochondrial cell membrane and crista integrity, and these cells exhibited less edema than the hypoxia group. In addition, the cells in the hypoxia-preconditioning group were found to be in early stages of apoptosis, whereas cells from the hypoxia group were in the later stages of apoptosis. The hypoxia-preconditioning group also had higher levels of Bcl-2/Bax expression and longer NG-108 cell axons than were observed in the hypoxia group.


CONCLUSIONS
Hypoxic preconditioning can improve the physiological state of Schwann cells in a severe hypoxia environment and improve the ability to promote neurite outgrowth.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Ou
O
Chen
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Miaomiao
M
Wu
Department of Hand and Plastic Surgery, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Liangfu
L
Jiang
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001854:Bone Marrow Cells / Q000166:cytology; D015687:Cell Hypoxia / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D019194:Ischemic Preconditioning; D053078:Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / Q000502:physiology; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D051381:Rats; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology*