GSE183623
MiRNA sequencing of Schwann-like cells induced by Schwann cell-derived exosomes
Background: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can differentiate into Schwann cells (SCs) at the site of nerve injury, where Schwann cell-derived exosomes (SC-Exos) are suspected to exert an induction effect. Our study aimed to induce the differentiation of ADSCs in vitro using SC-Exos and to investigate the mechanisms involved through miRNA sequencing.  Methods: Subcutaneous fat was used to extract ADSCs. Exosomes were extracted from Schwann cell lines (RSC96) using ultracentrifugation. After 8 days of induction of ADSCs by SC-Exos, phenotypic characteristics were observed by examining the expression of SC markers (S100, NGFR, MPZ, GFAP) through RT-qPCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence. Additionally, miRNA sequencing was performed on induced ADSCs, followed by bioinformatic analysis and validation of the results.  Results: SC-Exos were taken up by human ADSCs. The RNA and protein expression levels of S100, NGFR, MPZ and GFAP were found to be significantly higher in the SC-Exo induction group than in the uninduced group, despite no significant difference to the Dezawa's method group, which was also consistent with the immunofluorescence results. According to the sequencing results, there were a total of 72 differentially expressed miRNAs. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that 3506 Gene Ontology terms and 98 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were significantly enriched. Ten miRNAs, 6 target mRNAs and elevated expression of the PIK3CD/Akt pathway were validated by RT-qPCR or Western blot, which is consistent with the sequencing results.  Conclusions: Our data suggest that SC-Exos are able to induce the differentiation of ADSCs into SCs in vitro. It is speculated that the differentially expressed miRNAs play a significant role in the differentiation process. Overall design: MiRNA profiles of Schwann-like cells differentiated human adipose-derived stem cells after 8-days induction of Schwann cell-derived exosomes in vitro