Contrary to the adult central nervous system,the peripheral nervous system has an intrinsic ability to regenerate that relies on the expression of regenerationassociated genes,such as some kinesin family members.Kines...Contrary to the adult central nervous system,the peripheral nervous system has an intrinsic ability to regenerate that relies on the expression of regenerationassociated genes,such as some kinesin family members.Kinesins contribute to nerve regeneration through the transport of specific cargo,such as proteins and membrane components,from the cell body towards the axon periphery.We show here that KIF4A,associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and previously believed to be only expressed during development,is also expressed in the adult vertebrate nervous system and up-regulated in injured peripheral nervous system cells.KIF4A is detected both in the cell bodies and regrowing axons of injured neurons,consistent with its function as an axonal transporter of cargoes such asβ1-integrin and L1CAM.Our study further demonstrates that KIF4A levels are greatly increased in Schwann cells from injured distal nerve stumps,particularly at a time when they are reprogrammed into an essential proliferative repair phenotype.Moreover,Kif4a m RNA levels were approximately~6-fold higher in proliferative cultured Schwann cells compared with non-proliferative ones.A hypothesized function for Kif4a in Schwann cell proliferation was further confirmed by Kif4a knockdown,as this significantly reduced Schwann cell proliferation in vitro.Our findings show that KIF4A is expressed in adult vertebrate nervous systems and is up-regulated following peripheral injury.The timing of KIF4A up-regulation,its location during regeneration,and its proliferative role,all suggest a dual role for this protein in neuroregeneration that is worth exploring in the future.展开更多
Objectives:Sciatic nerve injury(SNI)impairs quality of life,and Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)may exert therapeutic effects via regulating Schwann cell(SC)mitochondrial stability,though the mechanism remains unc...Objectives:Sciatic nerve injury(SNI)impairs quality of life,and Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)may exert therapeutic effects via regulating Schwann cell(SC)mitochondrial stability,though the mechanism remains unclear.The study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms of LBP in mitigating sciatic nerve injury by protecting Schwann cells via the estrogen receptor 1(ESR1)hioredoxin 2(Trx2)pathway.Methods:An in vitro SNI model was established by inducing RSC96 cells with H2O2.Cell counting kit-8(CCK8)assay,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),Western blot,reactive oxygen species(ROS)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP)quantification,and mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)detection were used to evaluate cellular functions and molecular changes.Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to predict potential targets of LBP.Chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP)assays verified the interaction between ESR1 and Trx2,and ESR1 was knocked down in SCs to confirm the regulatory pathway.Additionally,in vivo validation was performed using a rat SNI model.Results:LBP intervention significantly reduced H2O2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction,inflammation,and oxidative stress in RSC96 cells(p<0.05).It also regulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins,Trx2,and mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor(AIF;p<0.001).Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified ESR1 as a key target of LBP,and ChIP assays confirmed that ESR1 promoted Trx2 transcription.Moreover,LBP enhanced SC proliferation(OD450 at day 5=1.25-fold;colony formation=1.85-fold),increased MMP and ATP levels(MMP=2.25-fold;ATP=1.75-fold),inhibited inflammation,and reduced apoptosis(p<0.001),while ESR1 knockdown abrogated these effects(p<0.05).In rat SNI models,LBP effectively alleviated nerve injury(p<0.001).Conclusion:LBP may modulate Trx2 via ESR1 for the purpose of restoring the dysfunction of SCs induced by H2O2.This potentially offers a new strategy for the therapy of SNI.展开更多
Schwann cell transplantation is considered one of the most promising cell-based therapy to repair injured spinal cord due to its unique growth-promoting and myelin-forming properties.A the Food and Drug Administration...Schwann cell transplantation is considered one of the most promising cell-based therapy to repair injured spinal cord due to its unique growth-promoting and myelin-forming properties.A the Food and Drug Administration-approved Phase I clinical trial has been conducted to evaluate the safety of transplanted human autologous Schwann cells to treat patients with spinal cord injury.A major challenge for Schwann cell transplantation is that grafted Schwann cells are confined within the lesion cavity,and they do not migrate into the host environment due to the inhibitory barrier formed by injury-induced glial scar,thus limiting axonal reentry into the host spinal cord.Here we introduce a combinatorial strategy by suppressing the inhibitory extracellular environment with injection of lentivirus-mediated transfection of chondroitinase ABC gene at the rostral and caudal borders of the lesion site and simultaneously leveraging the repair capacity of transplanted Schwann cells in adult rats following a mid-thoracic contusive spinal cord injury.We report that when the glial scar was degraded by chondroitinase ABC at the rostral and caudal lesion borders,Schwann cells migrated for considerable distances in both rostral and caudal directions.Such Schwann cell migration led to enhanced axonal regrowth,including the serotonergic and dopaminergic axons originating from supraspinal regions,and promoted recovery of locomotor and urinary bladder functions.Importantly,the Schwann cell survival and axonal regrowth persisted up to 6 months after the injury,even when treatment was delayed for 3 months to mimic chronic spinal cord injury.These findings collectively show promising evidence for a combinatorial strategy with chondroitinase ABC and Schwann cells in promoting remodeling and recovery of function following spinal cord injury.展开更多
Schwann cells and macrophages are the main immune cells involved in peripheral nerve injury.After injury,Schwann cells produce an inflammatory response and secrete various chemokines,inflammatory factors,and some othe...Schwann cells and macrophages are the main immune cells involved in peripheral nerve injury.After injury,Schwann cells produce an inflammatory response and secrete various chemokines,inflammatory factors,and some other cytokines to promote the recruitment and M2 polarization of blood-derived macrophages,enhancing their phagocytotic ability,and thus play an important role in promoting nerve regeneration.Macrophages have also been found to promote vascular regeneration after injury,promote the migration and proliferation of Schwann cells along blood vessels,and facilitate myelination and axon regeneration.Therefore,there is a close interaction between Schwann cells and macrophages during peripheral nerve regeneration,but this has not been systematically summarized.In this review,the mechanisms of action of Schwann cells and macrophages in each other's migration and phenotypic transformation are reviewed from the perspective of each other,to provide directions for research on accelerating nerve injury repair.展开更多
Schwann cells are essential for the maintenance and function of motor neurons,axonal networks,and the neuromuscular junction.In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,where motor neuron function is progressively lost,Schwann c...Schwann cells are essential for the maintenance and function of motor neurons,axonal networks,and the neuromuscular junction.In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,where motor neuron function is progressively lost,Schwann cell function may also be impaired.Recently,important signaling and potential trophic activities of Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles have been reported.This case report describes the treatment of a patient with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using serial intravenous infusions of allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles,marking,to our knowledge,the first instance of such treatment.An 81-year-old male patient presented with a 1.5-year history of rapidly progressive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.After initial diagnosis,the patient underwent a combination of generic riluzole,sodium phenylbutyrate for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,and taurursodiol.The patient volunteered to participate in an FDA-approved single-patient expanded access treatment and received weekly intravenous infusions of allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles to potentially restore impaired Schwann cell and motor neuron function.We confirmed that cultured Schwann cells obtained from the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient via sural nerve biopsy appeared impaired(senescent)and that exposure of the patient’s Schwann cells to allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles,cultured expanded from a cadaver donor improved their growth capacity in vitro.After a period of observation lasting 10 weeks,during which amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised and pulmonary function were regularly monitored,the patient received weekly consecutive infusions of 1.54×1012(×2),and then consecutive infusions of 7.5×1012(×6)allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles diluted in 40 mL of Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline.None of the infusions were associated with adverse events such as infusion reactions(allergic or otherwise)or changes in vital signs.Clinical lab serum neurofilament and cytokine levels measured prior to each infusion varied somewhat without a clear trend.A more sensitive in-house assay suggested possible inflammasome activation during the disease course.A trend for clinical stabilization was observed during the infusion period.Our study provides a novel approach to address impaired Schwann cells and possibly motor neuron function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles.Initial findings suggest that this approach is safe.展开更多
Perineural invasion(PNI)by tumor cells is a key phenotype of highly-invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC).Since Schwann cells(SCs)and fibroblasts maintain the physiological homeostasis of the peripheral nervous ...Perineural invasion(PNI)by tumor cells is a key phenotype of highly-invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC).Since Schwann cells(SCs)and fibroblasts maintain the physiological homeostasis of the peripheral nervous system,and we have focused on cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs)for decades,it’s imperative to elucidate the impact of CAFs on SCs in PNI+OSCCs.We describe a disease progression-driven shift of PNI−towards PNI+during the progression of early-stage OSCC(31%,n=125)to late-stage OSCC(53%,n=97),characterized by abundant CAFs and nerve demyelination.CAFs inhibited SC proliferation/migration and reduced neurotrophic factors and myelin in vitro,and this involved up-regulated ER stress and decreased MAPK signals.Moreover,CAFs also aggravated the paralysis of the hind limb and PNI in vivo.Unexpectedly,leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF)was exclusively expressed on CAFs and up-regulated in metastatic OSCC.The LIF inhibitor EC330 restored CAF-induced SC inactivation.Thus,OSCC-derived CAFs inactivate SCs to aggravate nerve injury and PNI development.展开更多
Peripheral nerve injuries(PNIs)affect approximately one million people globally every year.While autologous nerve transplantation remains the gold standard for healing PNIs with large gaps,limitations such as donor si...Peripheral nerve injuries(PNIs)affect approximately one million people globally every year.While autologous nerve transplantation remains the gold standard for healing PNIs with large gaps,limitations such as donor site morbidity and limited nerve availability present challenges in clinical application,highlighting the need for innovative solutions based on synthetic biomaterials.In this study,we explored a composite nerve conduit that combines a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)shell and a decellularized extracellular matrix(dECM)seeded with Schwann cells(SCs).In particular,the dECM,derived from rat sciatic nerves,retains the native tissue structure and bioactive components.In vitro studies showed that SC-seeded dECM promotes cell viability,proliferation,and alignment.In vivo testing using a rat sciatic nerve defect model demonstrated that the PLGA/dECM-SC conduit significantly improved nerve regeneration compared with conduits without SCs,showing enhanced axonal growth,myelination,and motor function restoration comparable to autografts.This approach offers a promising alternative to autologous nerve grafts in the clinical treatment of PNIs.展开更多
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)is a common complication of diabetes and is characterized by sensory and motor impairments resulting from neural injury.Schwann cells(SCs),which are important for peripheral nerve fu...Diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)is a common complication of diabetes and is characterized by sensory and motor impairments resulting from neural injury.Schwann cells(SCs),which are important for peripheral nerve function,are compromised under hyperglycemic conditions,leading to impaired axonal re-generation and demyelination.Autophagy,a cellular degradation process,is essential for SC function and significantly influences DPN progression.This article highlights the significance of autophagy in SCs and its potential as a pharmacotherapeutic target in DPN.We discuss the mechanisms of autophagy in SCs,including the mammalian target of rapamycin,adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase,and phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced putative kinase/parkin pathways,and their dysregulation in DPN.This article also exa-mines various natural products and chemical agents that modulate autophagy and enhance the efficacy of DPN treatment.These agents target key signaling pathways,such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/mam-malian target of rapamycin and demonstrate potential in promoting nerve re-generation and restoring SC function.The roles of exosomes,long non-coding RNA,and proteins in the regulation of autophagy have also been explored.In conclusion,targeting autophagy in SCs is a promising strategy for DPN treatment and offers new insights into therapeutic interventions.Further research is war-ranted to fully exploit these targets for clinical applications.展开更多
Schwann cell transplantation is a promising therapy for the treatment of spinal cord injury(SCI) and is currently in clinical trials.In our continuing efforts to improve Schwann cell transplantation strategies,we so...Schwann cell transplantation is a promising therapy for the treatment of spinal cord injury(SCI) and is currently in clinical trials.In our continuing efforts to improve Schwann cell transplantation strategies,we sought to determine the combined effects of Schwann cell transplantation with macrophage depletion.Since macrophages are major inflammatory contributors to the acute spinal cord injury,and are the major phagocytic cells,we hypothesized that transplanting Schwann cells after macrophage depletion will improve cell survival and integration with host tissue after SCI.To test this hypothesis,rat models of contusive SCI at thoracic level 8 were randomly subjected to macrophage depletion or not.In rat subjected to macrophage depletion,liposomes filled with clodronate were intraperitoneally injected at 1,3,6,11,and 18 days post injury.Rats not subjected to macrophage depletion were intraperitoneally injected with liposomes filled with phosphate buffered saline.Schwann cells were transplanted 1 week post injury in all rats.Biotinylated dextran amine(BDA) was injected at thoracic level 5 to evalute axon regeneration.The Basso,Beattie,and Bresnahan locomotor test,Gridwalk test,and sensory test using von Frey filaments were performed to assess functional recovery.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect glial fibrillary acidic protein,neurofilament,and green fluorescent protein(GFP),and also to visulize BDA-labelled axons.The GFP labeled Schwann cell and cyst and lesion volumes were quantified using stained slides.The numbers of BDA-positive axons were also quantified.At 8 weeks after Schwann cell transplantation,there was a significant reduction in cyst and lesion volumes in the combined treatment group compared to Schwann cell transplantation alone.These changes were not associated,however,with improved Schwann cell survival,axon growth,or locomotor recovery.Although combining Schwann cell transplantation with macrophage depletion does improve histopathology of the injury site,the effect on axon growth and behavioral recovery appears no better than what can be achieved with Schwann cell transplants alone.展开更多
Schwannoma is a peripheral nerve tumour, occasionally located in the genitourinary tract. We described an extremely rare case of intratesticular neurinoma in a 79-year-old patient. (Asian JAndrol 2006 Jan; 8: 101-103)
Using electroacupuncture and moxibustion to treat peripheral nerve injury is highly efficient with low side effects. However, the electroacupuncture-and moxibustion-based mechanisms underlying nerve repair are still u...Using electroacupuncture and moxibustion to treat peripheral nerve injury is highly efficient with low side effects. However, the electroacupuncture-and moxibustion-based mechanisms underlying nerve repair are still unclear. Here, in vivo and in vitro experiments uncovered one mechanism through which electroacupuncture and moxibustion affect regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. We first established rat models of sciatic nerve injury using neurotomy. Rats were treated with electroacupuncture or moxibustion at acupoints Huantiao (GB30) and Zusanli (ST36). Each treatment lasted 15 minutes, and treatments were given six times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Behavioral testing was used to determine the sciatic functional index. We used electrophysiological detection to measure sciatic nerve conduction velocity and performed hematoxylin-eosin staining to determine any changes in the gastrocnemius muscle. We used immunohistochemistry to observe changes in the expression of S100—a specific marker for Schwann cells—and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect serum level of nerve growth factor. Results showed that compared with the model-only group, sciatic functional index, recovery rate of conduction velocity, diameter recovery of the gastrocnemius muscle fibers, number of S100-immunoreactive cells,and level of nerve growth factor were greater in the electroacupuncture and moxibustion groups. The efficacy did not differ between treatment groups. The serum from treated rats was collected and used to stimulate Schwann cells cultured in vitro. Results showed that the viability of Schwann cells was much higher in the treatment groups than in the model group at 3 and 5 days after treatment. These findings indicate that electroacupuncture and moxibustion promoted nerve regeneration and functional recovery; its mechanism might be associated with the enhancement of Schwann cell proliferation and upregulation of nerve growth factor.展开更多
Objective To study the transplantation efficacy of neural stem cells (NSCs) and Schwann cells (SC) in a rat model of spinal cord contusion injury. Methods Multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) and Schwann cells w...Objective To study the transplantation efficacy of neural stem cells (NSCs) and Schwann cells (SC) in a rat model of spinal cord contusion injury. Methods Multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) and Schwann cells were harvested from the spinal cords of embryonic rats at 16 days post coitus and sciatic nerves of newborn rats, respectively. The differential characteristics of NSCs in vitro induced by either serum-based culture or co-culture with SC were analyzed by immunofluorescence. NSCs and SCs were co-transplanted into adult rats having undergone spinal cord contusion at T9 level. The animals were weekly monitored using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating system to evaluate functional recovery from contusion-induced spinal cord injury. Migration and differentiation of transplanted NSCs were studied in tissue sections using immunohistochemical staining. Results Embryonic spinal cord-derived NSCs differentiated into a large number of oligodendrocytes in serum-based culture upon the withdrawal of mitogens. In cocultures with SCs, NSCs differentiated into neuron more readily. Rats with spinal cord contusion injury which had undergone transplantation of NSCs and SCs into the intraspinal cavity demonstrated a moderate improvement in motor functions. Conclusions SC may contribute to neuronal differentiation of NSCs in vitro and in vivo. Transplantation of NSCs and SCs into the affected area may be a feasible approach to promoting motor recovery in patients after spinal cord injury.展开更多
Quercetin can reverse high glucose-induced inhibition of neural cell proliferation, and therefore may have a neuroprotective effect in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It is difficult to obtain pri- mary Schwann cells ...Quercetin can reverse high glucose-induced inhibition of neural cell proliferation, and therefore may have a neuroprotective effect in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It is difficult to obtain pri- mary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells could replace primary Schwann cells in studies of the role of autophagy in the mechanism underlying diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Here, we show that under high glucose conditions, there are fewer autophagosomes in immortalized rat RSC96 cells and primary rat Schwann ceils than under control conditions, the proliferative activity of both cell types is significantly impaired, and the expression of Berlin- 1 and LC3, the molecular mark- ers for autophagy, is significantly lower. After intervention with quercetin, the autophagic and proliferative activity of both cell types is rescued. These results suggest that quercetin can allevi- ate high glucose-induced damage to Schwann cells by autophagy.展开更多
Because the inhibition of Nogo proteins can promote neurite growth and nerve cell differentiation, a cell-scaffold complex seeded with Nogo receptor (NgR)-silenced neural stem cells and Schwann cells may be able to ...Because the inhibition of Nogo proteins can promote neurite growth and nerve cell differentiation, a cell-scaffold complex seeded with Nogo receptor (NgR)-silenced neural stem cells and Schwann cells may be able to improve the microenvironment for spinal cord injury repair. Previous studies have found that mild hypothermia helps to attenuate secondary damage in the spinal cord and exerts a neuroprotective effect. Here, we constructed a cell-scaffold complex consisting of a poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold seeded with NgR-silenced neural stem cells and Schwann cells, and determined the effects of mild hypothermia combined with the cell-scaffold complexes on the spinal cord hemi-transection injury in the T9 segment in rats. Compared with the PLGA group and the NgR-silencing cells + PLGA group, hindlimb motor function and nerve electrophysiological function were dearly improved, pathological changes in the injured spinal cord were attenuated, and the number of surviving cells and nerve fibers were increased in the group treated with the NgR-silenced cell scaffold + mild hypothermia at 34℃ for 6 hours. Furthermore, fewer pathological changes to the injured spinal cord and more surviving cells and nerve fibers were found after mild hypothermia therapy than in injuries not treated with mild hypothermia. These experimental results indicate that mild hypothermia combined with NgR gene-silenced cells in a PLGA scaffold may be an effective therapy for treating spinal cord injury.展开更多
Schwann cells play a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration through dedifferentiation and proliferation. In a previous study, we performed microarray analysis of the sciatic nerve after injury. Accordingly, we...Schwann cells play a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration through dedifferentiation and proliferation. In a previous study, we performed microarray analysis of the sciatic nerve after injury. Accordingly, we predicted that long non-coding RNA NONMMUG014387 may promote Schwann cell proliferation after peripheral nerve injury, as bioinformatic analysis revealed that the target gene of NONMMUG014387 was collagen triple helix repeat containing 1(Cthrc1). Cthrc1 may promote cell proliferation in a variety of cells by activating Wnt/PCP signaling. Nonetheless, bioinformatic analysis still needs to be verified by biological experiment. In this study, the candidate long non-coding RNA, NONMMUG014387, was overexpressed in mouse Schwann cells by recombinant adenovirus transfection. Plasmid p HBAd-MCMV-GFP-NONMMUG014387 and p HBAd-MCMV-GFP were transfected into Schwann cells. Schwann cells were divided into three groups: control(Schwann cells without intervention), Ad-GFP(Schwann cells with GFP overexpression), and Ad-NONMMUGO148387(Schwann cells with GFP and NONMMUGO148387 overexpression). Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to evaluate proliferative capability of mouse Schwann cells after NONMMUG014387 overexpression. Polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay were performed to investigate target genes and downstream pathways of NONMMUG014387. Cell proliferation was significantly increased in Schwann cells overexpressing lnc RNA NONMMUG014387 compared with the other two groups. Further, compared with the control group, m RNA and protein levels of Cthrc1, Wnt5 a, ROR2, Rho A, Rac1, JNK, and ROCK were visibly up-regulated in the Ad-NONMMUGO148387 group. Our findings confirm that long non-coding RNA NONMMUG014387 can promote proliferation of Schwann cells surrounding the injury site through targeting Cthrc1 and activating the Wnt/PCP pathway.展开更多
Peripheral nerve injury(PNI)is common and,unlike damage to the central nervous system injured nerves can effectively regenerate depending on the location and severity of injury.Peripheral myelinating glia,Schwann cell...Peripheral nerve injury(PNI)is common and,unlike damage to the central nervous system injured nerves can effectively regenerate depending on the location and severity of injury.Peripheral myelinating glia,Schwann cells(SCs),interact with various cells in and around the injury site and are important for debris elimination,repair,and nerve regeneration.Following PNI,Wallerian degeneration of the distal stump is rapidly initiated by degeneration of damaged axons followed by morphologic changes in SCs and the recruitment of circulating macrophages.Interaction with fibroblasts from the injured nerve microenvironment also plays a role in nerve repair.The replication and migration of injury-induced dedifferentiated SCs are also important in repairing the nerve.In particular,SC migration stimulates axonal regeneration and subsequent myelination of regenerated nerve fibers.This mobility increases SC interactions with other cells in the nerve and the exogenous environment,which influence SC behavior post-injury.Following PNI,SCs directly and indirectly interact with other SCs,fibroblasts,and macrophages.In addition,the inter-and intracellular mechanisms that underlie morphological and functional changes in SCs following PNI still require further research to explain known phenomena and less understood cell-specific roles in the repair of the injured peripheral nerve.This review provides a basic assessment of SC function post-PNI,as well as a more comprehensive evaluation of the literature concerning the SC interactions with macrophages and fibroblasts that can influence SC behavior and,ultimately,repair of the injured nerve.展开更多
Hair follicle-derived neural crest stem cells can be induced to differentiate into Schwann cells in vivo and in vitro. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism during cell differentiation remains poorly understood...Hair follicle-derived neural crest stem cells can be induced to differentiate into Schwann cells in vivo and in vitro. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism during cell differentiation remains poorly understood. This study isolated neural crest stem cells from human hair folli-cles and induced them to differentiate into Schwann cells. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that microRNA (miR)-21 expression was gradually increased during the differentiation of neural crest stem cells into Schwann cells. After transfection with the miR-21 agonist (agomir-21), the differentiation capacity of neural crest stem cells was enhanced. By contrast, after transfection with the miR-21 antagonist (antagomir-21), the differentiation capacity was attenuated. Further study results showed that SOX-2 was an effective target of miR-21. Without compromising SOX2 mRNA expression, miR-21 can down-regulate SOX protein expression by binding to the 3′-UTR of miR-21 mRNA. Knocking out the SOX2 gene from the neural crest stem cells significantly reversed the antagomir-21 inhibition of neural crest stem cells differentiating into Schwann cells. The results suggest that miR-21 expression was increased during the differentiation of neural crest stem cells into Schwann cells and miR-21 promoted the differentiation through down-regu-lating SOX protein expression by binding to the 3′-UTR of SOX2 mRNA.展开更多
In recent years, the use of Schwann cell transplantation to repair peripheral nerve injury has attracted much attention. Animal-based studies show that the transplantation of Schwann cells in combination with nerve sc...In recent years, the use of Schwann cell transplantation to repair peripheral nerve injury has attracted much attention. Animal-based studies show that the transplantation of Schwann cells in combination with nerve scaffolds promotes the repair of injured peripheral nerves. Autologous Schwann cell transplantation in humans has been reported recently. This article reviews current methods for removing the extracellular matrix and analyzes its composition and function. The development and secretory products of Schwann cells are also reviewed. The methods for the repair of peripheral nerve injuries that use myelin and Schwann cell transplantation are assessed. This survey of the literature data shows that using a decellularized nerve conduit combined with Schwann cells represents an effective strategy for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury. This analysis provides a comprehensive basis on which to make clinical decisions for the repair of peripheral nerve injury.展开更多
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from New Zealand white rabbits,culture-expanded and differentiated into Schwann cell-like cells.Autologous platelet-dch plasma and Schwann cell-like cells were mixed in...Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from New Zealand white rabbits,culture-expanded and differentiated into Schwann cell-like cells.Autologous platelet-dch plasma and Schwann cell-like cells were mixed in suspension at a density of 1 x 106 cells/mL,prior to introduction into a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)conduit.Fabricated tissue-engineered nerves were implanted into rabbits to bridge 10 mm sciatic nerve defects(platelet-rich plasma group).Controls were established using fibrin as the seeding matrix for Schwann cell-like cells at identical density to construct tissue-engineered nerves(fibrin group).Twelve weeks after implantation,toluidine blue staining and scanning electron microscopy were used to demonstrate an increase in the number of regenerating nerve fibers and thickness of the myelin sheath in the platelet-rich plasma group compared with the fibrin group.Fluoro-gold retrograde labeling revealed that the number of Fluoro-gold-positive neurons in the dorsal root ganglion and the spinal cord anterior horn was greater in the platelet-rich plasma group than in the fibrin group.Electrophysiological examination confirmed that compound muscle action potential and nerve conduction velocity were superior in the platelet-rich plasma group compared with the fibrin group.These results indicate that autologous platelet-rich plasma gel can effectively serve as a seeding matrix for Schwann cell-like cells to construct tissue-engineered nerves to promote perJpheral nerve regeneration.展开更多
基金supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology(FCT),Centro 2020 and Portugol2020 and the EU FEDER program,via the project GoBack to SIV(PTDC/CVT-CVT/32261/2017,CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-032261)the doctoral grants of PDC(SFRH/BD/139974/2018)and BMS(2020.06525.BD and DOI 10.54499/2020.06525.BD)+5 种基金the post-doctoral grant to JPF(SFRH/BPD/113359/2015-program-contract described in paragraphs 4,5,6 of art.23 of Law no.100157/2016,of August 29,as amended by Law no.57/2017 of July 2019),the project PTDC/MED-NEU/1677/2021 to JBRthe Institute of Biomedicine iBiMED(UIDB/04501/2020 and DOI 10.54499/UIDB/04501/2020,UIDP/04501/2020 and DOI 10.54499/UIDP/04501/2020)its LiM Bioimaging Facility-a PPBI node(POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122)supported by the Research Commission of the Medical Faculty of the Heinrich-Heine-University(HHU)Düsseldorf,of the Biologisch-Medizinisches Forschungszentrum(BMFZ)of HHUfinanced by the Spanish"Plan Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica,Desarrollo e Innovacion Tecnologica,Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad(Instituto de Salud CarlosⅢ)",co-financed by the European Union(FEDER program),(grant FIS P/20/00318 and FIS P23/00337 to VC)grant CPP2021-009070 to VC by the"Proyectos de colaboracion publico-privada,Plan de Investigacion Cientifica,Tecnica y de inovacion 2021-2023,Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion,Union Europea,Agencia Estatal de Investigacion,Espana"。
摘要Contrary to the adult central nervous system,the peripheral nervous system has an intrinsic ability to regenerate that relies on the expression of regenerationassociated genes,such as some kinesin family members.Kinesins contribute to nerve regeneration through the transport of specific cargo,such as proteins and membrane components,from the cell body towards the axon periphery.We show here that KIF4A,associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and previously believed to be only expressed during development,is also expressed in the adult vertebrate nervous system and up-regulated in injured peripheral nervous system cells.KIF4A is detected both in the cell bodies and regrowing axons of injured neurons,consistent with its function as an axonal transporter of cargoes such asβ1-integrin and L1CAM.Our study further demonstrates that KIF4A levels are greatly increased in Schwann cells from injured distal nerve stumps,particularly at a time when they are reprogrammed into an essential proliferative repair phenotype.Moreover,Kif4a m RNA levels were approximately~6-fold higher in proliferative cultured Schwann cells compared with non-proliferative ones.A hypothesized function for Kif4a in Schwann cell proliferation was further confirmed by Kif4a knockdown,as this significantly reduced Schwann cell proliferation in vitro.Our findings show that KIF4A is expressed in adult vertebrate nervous systems and is up-regulated following peripheral injury.The timing of KIF4A up-regulation,its location during regeneration,and its proliferative role,all suggest a dual role for this protein in neuroregeneration that is worth exploring in the future.
基金supported by Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region(No.2024AAC03513)Science and Technology Public Welfare Program of Autonomous Region(No.2023CMG03014)Natural Science Foundation of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region(No.2024AAC03527).
摘要Objectives:Sciatic nerve injury(SNI)impairs quality of life,and Lycium barbarum polysaccharides(LBP)may exert therapeutic effects via regulating Schwann cell(SC)mitochondrial stability,though the mechanism remains unclear.The study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic mechanisms of LBP in mitigating sciatic nerve injury by protecting Schwann cells via the estrogen receptor 1(ESR1)hioredoxin 2(Trx2)pathway.Methods:An in vitro SNI model was established by inducing RSC96 cells with H2O2.Cell counting kit-8(CCK8)assay,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),Western blot,reactive oxygen species(ROS)and adenosine triphosphate(ATP)quantification,and mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)detection were used to evaluate cellular functions and molecular changes.Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to predict potential targets of LBP.Chromatin immunoprecipitation(ChIP)assays verified the interaction between ESR1 and Trx2,and ESR1 was knocked down in SCs to confirm the regulatory pathway.Additionally,in vivo validation was performed using a rat SNI model.Results:LBP intervention significantly reduced H2O2-induced mitochondrial dysfunction,inflammation,and oxidative stress in RSC96 cells(p<0.05).It also regulated the expression of apoptosis-related proteins,Trx2,and mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor(AIF;p<0.001).Network pharmacology and molecular docking identified ESR1 as a key target of LBP,and ChIP assays confirmed that ESR1 promoted Trx2 transcription.Moreover,LBP enhanced SC proliferation(OD450 at day 5=1.25-fold;colony formation=1.85-fold),increased MMP and ATP levels(MMP=2.25-fold;ATP=1.75-fold),inhibited inflammation,and reduced apoptosis(p<0.001),while ESR1 knockdown abrogated these effects(p<0.05).In rat SNI models,LBP effectively alleviated nerve injury(p<0.001).Conclusion:LBP may modulate Trx2 via ESR1 for the purpose of restoring the dysfunction of SCs induced by H2O2.This potentially offers a new strategy for the therapy of SNI.
基金supported in part by NIH R01 NS100531,R01 NS103481NIH R21NS130241(to LD)+3 种基金Merit Review Award I01 BX002356,I01 BX003705 from the U.S.Department of Veterans AffairsIndiana Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Foundation(No.19919)Mari Hulman George Endowment Funds(to XMX)Indiana Spinal Cord&Brain Injury Research Fund from ISDH(to NKL and LD)。
摘要Schwann cell transplantation is considered one of the most promising cell-based therapy to repair injured spinal cord due to its unique growth-promoting and myelin-forming properties.A the Food and Drug Administration-approved Phase I clinical trial has been conducted to evaluate the safety of transplanted human autologous Schwann cells to treat patients with spinal cord injury.A major challenge for Schwann cell transplantation is that grafted Schwann cells are confined within the lesion cavity,and they do not migrate into the host environment due to the inhibitory barrier formed by injury-induced glial scar,thus limiting axonal reentry into the host spinal cord.Here we introduce a combinatorial strategy by suppressing the inhibitory extracellular environment with injection of lentivirus-mediated transfection of chondroitinase ABC gene at the rostral and caudal borders of the lesion site and simultaneously leveraging the repair capacity of transplanted Schwann cells in adult rats following a mid-thoracic contusive spinal cord injury.We report that when the glial scar was degraded by chondroitinase ABC at the rostral and caudal lesion borders,Schwann cells migrated for considerable distances in both rostral and caudal directions.Such Schwann cell migration led to enhanced axonal regrowth,including the serotonergic and dopaminergic axons originating from supraspinal regions,and promoted recovery of locomotor and urinary bladder functions.Importantly,the Schwann cell survival and axonal regrowth persisted up to 6 months after the injury,even when treatment was delayed for 3 months to mimic chronic spinal cord injury.These findings collectively show promising evidence for a combinatorial strategy with chondroitinase ABC and Schwann cells in promoting remodeling and recovery of function following spinal cord injury.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,China(81072398).
摘要Schwann cells and macrophages are the main immune cells involved in peripheral nerve injury.After injury,Schwann cells produce an inflammatory response and secrete various chemokines,inflammatory factors,and some other cytokines to promote the recruitment and M2 polarization of blood-derived macrophages,enhancing their phagocytotic ability,and thus play an important role in promoting nerve regeneration.Macrophages have also been found to promote vascular regeneration after injury,promote the migration and proliferation of Schwann cells along blood vessels,and facilitate myelination and axon regeneration.Therefore,there is a close interaction between Schwann cells and macrophages during peripheral nerve regeneration,but this has not been systematically summarized.In this review,the mechanisms of action of Schwann cells and macrophages in each other's migration and phenotypic transformation are reviewed from the perspective of each other,to provide directions for research on accelerating nerve injury repair.
基金support from the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis,the Buoniconti Fund,and the Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute(to AK,WDD,JDG,and ADL)the unconditional support of Dean Henri Ford of the Leonard M.Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami.
摘要Schwann cells are essential for the maintenance and function of motor neurons,axonal networks,and the neuromuscular junction.In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,where motor neuron function is progressively lost,Schwann cell function may also be impaired.Recently,important signaling and potential trophic activities of Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles have been reported.This case report describes the treatment of a patient with advanced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using serial intravenous infusions of allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles,marking,to our knowledge,the first instance of such treatment.An 81-year-old male patient presented with a 1.5-year history of rapidly progressive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.After initial diagnosis,the patient underwent a combination of generic riluzole,sodium phenylbutyrate for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,and taurursodiol.The patient volunteered to participate in an FDA-approved single-patient expanded access treatment and received weekly intravenous infusions of allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles to potentially restore impaired Schwann cell and motor neuron function.We confirmed that cultured Schwann cells obtained from the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient via sural nerve biopsy appeared impaired(senescent)and that exposure of the patient’s Schwann cells to allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles,cultured expanded from a cadaver donor improved their growth capacity in vitro.After a period of observation lasting 10 weeks,during which amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised and pulmonary function were regularly monitored,the patient received weekly consecutive infusions of 1.54×1012(×2),and then consecutive infusions of 7.5×1012(×6)allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles diluted in 40 mL of Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline.None of the infusions were associated with adverse events such as infusion reactions(allergic or otherwise)or changes in vital signs.Clinical lab serum neurofilament and cytokine levels measured prior to each infusion varied somewhat without a clear trend.A more sensitive in-house assay suggested possible inflammasome activation during the disease course.A trend for clinical stabilization was observed during the infusion period.Our study provides a novel approach to address impaired Schwann cells and possibly motor neuron function in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using allogeneic Schwann cell-derived exosomal vesicles.Initial findings suggest that this approach is safe.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82373037 and 82403486)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20230054 and BK20230161)+1 种基金the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2023M741766)the Nanjing Medical Science and Technology Development Foundation,Nanjing Department of Health(YKK21182 and JQX23010).
摘要Perineural invasion(PNI)by tumor cells is a key phenotype of highly-invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC).Since Schwann cells(SCs)and fibroblasts maintain the physiological homeostasis of the peripheral nervous system,and we have focused on cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs)for decades,it’s imperative to elucidate the impact of CAFs on SCs in PNI+OSCCs.We describe a disease progression-driven shift of PNI−towards PNI+during the progression of early-stage OSCC(31%,n=125)to late-stage OSCC(53%,n=97),characterized by abundant CAFs and nerve demyelination.CAFs inhibited SC proliferation/migration and reduced neurotrophic factors and myelin in vitro,and this involved up-regulated ER stress and decreased MAPK signals.Moreover,CAFs also aggravated the paralysis of the hind limb and PNI in vivo.Unexpectedly,leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF)was exclusively expressed on CAFs and up-regulated in metastatic OSCC.The LIF inhibitor EC330 restored CAF-induced SC inactivation.Thus,OSCC-derived CAFs inactivate SCs to aggravate nerve injury and PNI development.
基金support provided by the Ningbo Natural Science Foundation(No.2023J137)the Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang Province(No.BY23H180015)the Zhejiang Medical Science and Technology Project(Nos.2022KY1101 and 2022KY111).
摘要Peripheral nerve injuries(PNIs)affect approximately one million people globally every year.While autologous nerve transplantation remains the gold standard for healing PNIs with large gaps,limitations such as donor site morbidity and limited nerve availability present challenges in clinical application,highlighting the need for innovative solutions based on synthetic biomaterials.In this study,we explored a composite nerve conduit that combines a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)shell and a decellularized extracellular matrix(dECM)seeded with Schwann cells(SCs).In particular,the dECM,derived from rat sciatic nerves,retains the native tissue structure and bioactive components.In vitro studies showed that SC-seeded dECM promotes cell viability,proliferation,and alignment.In vivo testing using a rat sciatic nerve defect model demonstrated that the PLGA/dECM-SC conduit significantly improved nerve regeneration compared with conduits without SCs,showing enhanced axonal growth,myelination,and motor function restoration comparable to autografts.This approach offers a promising alternative to autologous nerve grafts in the clinical treatment of PNIs.
基金Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province,No.2023JJ60497Chinese Medicine Research Program of Hunan Province,No.2021169Xiangtan Medical Research Project Plan,No.2022-xtyx-34 and No.2022-xtyx-36.
摘要Diabetic peripheral neuropathy(DPN)is a common complication of diabetes and is characterized by sensory and motor impairments resulting from neural injury.Schwann cells(SCs),which are important for peripheral nerve function,are compromised under hyperglycemic conditions,leading to impaired axonal re-generation and demyelination.Autophagy,a cellular degradation process,is essential for SC function and significantly influences DPN progression.This article highlights the significance of autophagy in SCs and its potential as a pharmacotherapeutic target in DPN.We discuss the mechanisms of autophagy in SCs,including the mammalian target of rapamycin,adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase,and phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced putative kinase/parkin pathways,and their dysregulation in DPN.This article also exa-mines various natural products and chemical agents that modulate autophagy and enhance the efficacy of DPN treatment.These agents target key signaling pathways,such as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase/mam-malian target of rapamycin and demonstrate potential in promoting nerve re-generation and restoring SC function.The roles of exosomes,long non-coding RNA,and proteins in the regulation of autophagy have also been explored.In conclusion,targeting autophagy in SCs is a promising strategy for DPN treatment and offers new insights into therapeutic interventions.Further research is war-ranted to fully exploit these targets for clinical applications.
基金NINDS R01NS09923(MBB)R01NS081040(JKL)+1 种基金The Miami Project to Cure Paralysisthe Buoniconti Fund
摘要Schwann cell transplantation is a promising therapy for the treatment of spinal cord injury(SCI) and is currently in clinical trials.In our continuing efforts to improve Schwann cell transplantation strategies,we sought to determine the combined effects of Schwann cell transplantation with macrophage depletion.Since macrophages are major inflammatory contributors to the acute spinal cord injury,and are the major phagocytic cells,we hypothesized that transplanting Schwann cells after macrophage depletion will improve cell survival and integration with host tissue after SCI.To test this hypothesis,rat models of contusive SCI at thoracic level 8 were randomly subjected to macrophage depletion or not.In rat subjected to macrophage depletion,liposomes filled with clodronate were intraperitoneally injected at 1,3,6,11,and 18 days post injury.Rats not subjected to macrophage depletion were intraperitoneally injected with liposomes filled with phosphate buffered saline.Schwann cells were transplanted 1 week post injury in all rats.Biotinylated dextran amine(BDA) was injected at thoracic level 5 to evalute axon regeneration.The Basso,Beattie,and Bresnahan locomotor test,Gridwalk test,and sensory test using von Frey filaments were performed to assess functional recovery.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect glial fibrillary acidic protein,neurofilament,and green fluorescent protein(GFP),and also to visulize BDA-labelled axons.The GFP labeled Schwann cell and cyst and lesion volumes were quantified using stained slides.The numbers of BDA-positive axons were also quantified.At 8 weeks after Schwann cell transplantation,there was a significant reduction in cyst and lesion volumes in the combined treatment group compared to Schwann cell transplantation alone.These changes were not associated,however,with improved Schwann cell survival,axon growth,or locomotor recovery.Although combining Schwann cell transplantation with macrophage depletion does improve histopathology of the injury site,the effect on axon growth and behavioral recovery appears no better than what can be achieved with Schwann cell transplants alone.
摘要Schwannoma is a peripheral nerve tumour, occasionally located in the genitourinary tract. We described an extremely rare case of intratesticular neurinoma in a 79-year-old patient. (Asian JAndrol 2006 Jan; 8: 101-103)
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81373754,81102670
摘要Using electroacupuncture and moxibustion to treat peripheral nerve injury is highly efficient with low side effects. However, the electroacupuncture-and moxibustion-based mechanisms underlying nerve repair are still unclear. Here, in vivo and in vitro experiments uncovered one mechanism through which electroacupuncture and moxibustion affect regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. We first established rat models of sciatic nerve injury using neurotomy. Rats were treated with electroacupuncture or moxibustion at acupoints Huantiao (GB30) and Zusanli (ST36). Each treatment lasted 15 minutes, and treatments were given six times a week for 4 consecutive weeks. Behavioral testing was used to determine the sciatic functional index. We used electrophysiological detection to measure sciatic nerve conduction velocity and performed hematoxylin-eosin staining to determine any changes in the gastrocnemius muscle. We used immunohistochemistry to observe changes in the expression of S100—a specific marker for Schwann cells—and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect serum level of nerve growth factor. Results showed that compared with the model-only group, sciatic functional index, recovery rate of conduction velocity, diameter recovery of the gastrocnemius muscle fibers, number of S100-immunoreactive cells,and level of nerve growth factor were greater in the electroacupuncture and moxibustion groups. The efficacy did not differ between treatment groups. The serum from treated rats was collected and used to stimulate Schwann cells cultured in vitro. Results showed that the viability of Schwann cells was much higher in the treatment groups than in the model group at 3 and 5 days after treatment. These findings indicate that electroacupuncture and moxibustion promoted nerve regeneration and functional recovery; its mechanism might be associated with the enhancement of Schwann cell proliferation and upregulation of nerve growth factor.
基金This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30371452).
摘要Objective To study the transplantation efficacy of neural stem cells (NSCs) and Schwann cells (SC) in a rat model of spinal cord contusion injury. Methods Multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) and Schwann cells were harvested from the spinal cords of embryonic rats at 16 days post coitus and sciatic nerves of newborn rats, respectively. The differential characteristics of NSCs in vitro induced by either serum-based culture or co-culture with SC were analyzed by immunofluorescence. NSCs and SCs were co-transplanted into adult rats having undergone spinal cord contusion at T9 level. The animals were weekly monitored using the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotor rating system to evaluate functional recovery from contusion-induced spinal cord injury. Migration and differentiation of transplanted NSCs were studied in tissue sections using immunohistochemical staining. Results Embryonic spinal cord-derived NSCs differentiated into a large number of oligodendrocytes in serum-based culture upon the withdrawal of mitogens. In cocultures with SCs, NSCs differentiated into neuron more readily. Rats with spinal cord contusion injury which had undergone transplantation of NSCs and SCs into the intraspinal cavity demonstrated a moderate improvement in motor functions. Conclusions SC may contribute to neuronal differentiation of NSCs in vitro and in vivo. Transplantation of NSCs and SCs into the affected area may be a feasible approach to promoting motor recovery in patients after spinal cord injury.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30572438the Beijing Science Nuture Foundation,No.7132189a grant from Science Foundation of Peking Union Medical College Hospital,No.2013-098
摘要Quercetin can reverse high glucose-induced inhibition of neural cell proliferation, and therefore may have a neuroprotective effect in diabetic peripheral neuropathy. It is difficult to obtain pri- mary Schwann cells and RSC96 cells could replace primary Schwann cells in studies of the role of autophagy in the mechanism underlying diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Here, we show that under high glucose conditions, there are fewer autophagosomes in immortalized rat RSC96 cells and primary rat Schwann ceils than under control conditions, the proliferative activity of both cell types is significantly impaired, and the expression of Berlin- 1 and LC3, the molecular mark- ers for autophagy, is significantly lower. After intervention with quercetin, the autophagic and proliferative activity of both cell types is rescued. These results suggest that quercetin can allevi- ate high glucose-induced damage to Schwann cells by autophagy.
基金supported by a grant from the Application Basis and Front Technology Projects of Tianjin(Science and Technology Foundation of Tianjin),No.12JCYBJC18000
摘要Because the inhibition of Nogo proteins can promote neurite growth and nerve cell differentiation, a cell-scaffold complex seeded with Nogo receptor (NgR)-silenced neural stem cells and Schwann cells may be able to improve the microenvironment for spinal cord injury repair. Previous studies have found that mild hypothermia helps to attenuate secondary damage in the spinal cord and exerts a neuroprotective effect. Here, we constructed a cell-scaffold complex consisting of a poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold seeded with NgR-silenced neural stem cells and Schwann cells, and determined the effects of mild hypothermia combined with the cell-scaffold complexes on the spinal cord hemi-transection injury in the T9 segment in rats. Compared with the PLGA group and the NgR-silencing cells + PLGA group, hindlimb motor function and nerve electrophysiological function were dearly improved, pathological changes in the injured spinal cord were attenuated, and the number of surviving cells and nerve fibers were increased in the group treated with the NgR-silenced cell scaffold + mild hypothermia at 34℃ for 6 hours. Furthermore, fewer pathological changes to the injured spinal cord and more surviving cells and nerve fibers were found after mild hypothermia therapy than in injuries not treated with mild hypothermia. These experimental results indicate that mild hypothermia combined with NgR gene-silenced cells in a PLGA scaffold may be an effective therapy for treating spinal cord injury.
基金supported by a grant from Student’s Platform for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program in China,No.201610062009the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Key Program),No.81330042+1 种基金a grant from the Special Program for Sino-Russian Joint Research Sponsored by the Ministry of Science and Technology,China,No.2014DFR31210a grant from the Key Program Sponsored by the Tianjin Science and Technology Committee of China,No.13RCGFSY19000,14ZCZDSY00044
摘要Schwann cells play a critical role in peripheral nerve regeneration through dedifferentiation and proliferation. In a previous study, we performed microarray analysis of the sciatic nerve after injury. Accordingly, we predicted that long non-coding RNA NONMMUG014387 may promote Schwann cell proliferation after peripheral nerve injury, as bioinformatic analysis revealed that the target gene of NONMMUG014387 was collagen triple helix repeat containing 1(Cthrc1). Cthrc1 may promote cell proliferation in a variety of cells by activating Wnt/PCP signaling. Nonetheless, bioinformatic analysis still needs to be verified by biological experiment. In this study, the candidate long non-coding RNA, NONMMUG014387, was overexpressed in mouse Schwann cells by recombinant adenovirus transfection. Plasmid p HBAd-MCMV-GFP-NONMMUG014387 and p HBAd-MCMV-GFP were transfected into Schwann cells. Schwann cells were divided into three groups: control(Schwann cells without intervention), Ad-GFP(Schwann cells with GFP overexpression), and Ad-NONMMUGO148387(Schwann cells with GFP and NONMMUGO148387 overexpression). Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to evaluate proliferative capability of mouse Schwann cells after NONMMUG014387 overexpression. Polymerase chain reaction and western blot assay were performed to investigate target genes and downstream pathways of NONMMUG014387. Cell proliferation was significantly increased in Schwann cells overexpressing lnc RNA NONMMUG014387 compared with the other two groups. Further, compared with the control group, m RNA and protein levels of Cthrc1, Wnt5 a, ROR2, Rho A, Rac1, JNK, and ROCK were visibly up-regulated in the Ad-NONMMUGO148387 group. Our findings confirm that long non-coding RNA NONMMUG014387 can promote proliferation of Schwann cells surrounding the injury site through targeting Cthrc1 and activating the Wnt/PCP pathway.
基金This work was also supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81901365(to WRQ)Jilin Science and Technology Agency Funds in China,Nos.20180101118JC(to RL),20180520115JH(to BPC)and 20190103076JH(to WRQ).
摘要Peripheral nerve injury(PNI)is common and,unlike damage to the central nervous system injured nerves can effectively regenerate depending on the location and severity of injury.Peripheral myelinating glia,Schwann cells(SCs),interact with various cells in and around the injury site and are important for debris elimination,repair,and nerve regeneration.Following PNI,Wallerian degeneration of the distal stump is rapidly initiated by degeneration of damaged axons followed by morphologic changes in SCs and the recruitment of circulating macrophages.Interaction with fibroblasts from the injured nerve microenvironment also plays a role in nerve repair.The replication and migration of injury-induced dedifferentiated SCs are also important in repairing the nerve.In particular,SC migration stimulates axonal regeneration and subsequent myelination of regenerated nerve fibers.This mobility increases SC interactions with other cells in the nerve and the exogenous environment,which influence SC behavior post-injury.Following PNI,SCs directly and indirectly interact with other SCs,fibroblasts,and macrophages.In addition,the inter-and intracellular mechanisms that underlie morphological and functional changes in SCs following PNI still require further research to explain known phenomena and less understood cell-specific roles in the repair of the injured peripheral nerve.This review provides a basic assessment of SC function post-PNI,as well as a more comprehensive evaluation of the literature concerning the SC interactions with macrophages and fibroblasts that can influence SC behavior and,ultimately,repair of the injured nerve.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81070855
摘要Hair follicle-derived neural crest stem cells can be induced to differentiate into Schwann cells in vivo and in vitro. However, the underlying regulatory mechanism during cell differentiation remains poorly understood. This study isolated neural crest stem cells from human hair folli-cles and induced them to differentiate into Schwann cells. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that microRNA (miR)-21 expression was gradually increased during the differentiation of neural crest stem cells into Schwann cells. After transfection with the miR-21 agonist (agomir-21), the differentiation capacity of neural crest stem cells was enhanced. By contrast, after transfection with the miR-21 antagonist (antagomir-21), the differentiation capacity was attenuated. Further study results showed that SOX-2 was an effective target of miR-21. Without compromising SOX2 mRNA expression, miR-21 can down-regulate SOX protein expression by binding to the 3′-UTR of miR-21 mRNA. Knocking out the SOX2 gene from the neural crest stem cells significantly reversed the antagomir-21 inhibition of neural crest stem cells differentiating into Schwann cells. The results suggest that miR-21 expression was increased during the differentiation of neural crest stem cells into Schwann cells and miR-21 promoted the differentiation through down-regu-lating SOX protein expression by binding to the 3′-UTR of SOX2 mRNA.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China,No.2017YFA0104701(to YW)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31771052(to YW)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Beijing of China,No.7172202(to YW)the PLA Youth Training Project for Medical Science of China,No.16QNP144(to YW)
摘要In recent years, the use of Schwann cell transplantation to repair peripheral nerve injury has attracted much attention. Animal-based studies show that the transplantation of Schwann cells in combination with nerve scaffolds promotes the repair of injured peripheral nerves. Autologous Schwann cell transplantation in humans has been reported recently. This article reviews current methods for removing the extracellular matrix and analyzes its composition and function. The development and secretory products of Schwann cells are also reviewed. The methods for the repair of peripheral nerve injuries that use myelin and Schwann cell transplantation are assessed. This survey of the literature data shows that using a decellularized nerve conduit combined with Schwann cells represents an effective strategy for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury. This analysis provides a comprehensive basis on which to make clinical decisions for the repair of peripheral nerve injury.
基金supported by the High Education Development Foundation of Shandong Province,No.J11LF22
摘要Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from New Zealand white rabbits,culture-expanded and differentiated into Schwann cell-like cells.Autologous platelet-dch plasma and Schwann cell-like cells were mixed in suspension at a density of 1 x 106 cells/mL,prior to introduction into a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)conduit.Fabricated tissue-engineered nerves were implanted into rabbits to bridge 10 mm sciatic nerve defects(platelet-rich plasma group).Controls were established using fibrin as the seeding matrix for Schwann cell-like cells at identical density to construct tissue-engineered nerves(fibrin group).Twelve weeks after implantation,toluidine blue staining and scanning electron microscopy were used to demonstrate an increase in the number of regenerating nerve fibers and thickness of the myelin sheath in the platelet-rich plasma group compared with the fibrin group.Fluoro-gold retrograde labeling revealed that the number of Fluoro-gold-positive neurons in the dorsal root ganglion and the spinal cord anterior horn was greater in the platelet-rich plasma group than in the fibrin group.Electrophysiological examination confirmed that compound muscle action potential and nerve conduction velocity were superior in the platelet-rich plasma group compared with the fibrin group.These results indicate that autologous platelet-rich plasma gel can effectively serve as a seeding matrix for Schwann cell-like cells to construct tissue-engineered nerves to promote perJpheral nerve regeneration.