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Bhat K, Hanke L, Helmholz H, Quandt E, Pixley S, Willumeit-Römer R. Influence of Magnesium Degradation on Schwannoma Cell Responses to Nerve Injury Using an In Vitro Injury Model. J Funct Biomater 2024; 15:88. [PMID: 38667545 PMCID: PMC11050989 DOI: 10.3390/jfb15040088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Nerve guidance conduits for peripheral nerve injuries can be improved using bioactive materials such as magnesium (Mg) and its alloys, which could provide both structural and trophic support. Therefore, we investigated whether exposure to Mg and Mg-1.6wt%Li thin films (Mg/Mg-1.6Li) would alter acute Schwann cell responses to injury. Using the RT4-D6P2T Schwannoma cell line (SCs), we tested extracts from freeze-killed cells (FKC) and nerves (FKN) as in vitro injury stimulants. Both FKC and FKN induced SC release of the macrophage chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), a marker of the repair SC phenotype after injury. Next, FKC-stimulated cells exposed to Mg/Mg-1.6Li reduced MCP-1 release by 30%, suggesting that these materials could have anti-inflammatory effects. Exposing FKC-treated cells to Mg/Mg-1.6Li reduced the gene expression of the nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and myelin protein zero (MPZ), but not the p75 neurotrophin receptor. In the absence of FKC, Mg/Mg-1.6Li treatment increased the expression of NGF, p75, and MPZ, which can be beneficial to nerve regeneration. Thus, the presence of Mg can differentially alter SCs, depending on the microenvironment. These results demonstrate the applicability of this in vitro nerve injury model, and that Mg has wide-ranging effects on the repair SC phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krathika Bhat
- Institute of Metallic Biomaterials, Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Lisa Hanke
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Kiel, 24143 Kiel, Germany
| | - Heike Helmholz
- Institute of Metallic Biomaterials, Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Eckhard Quandt
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Kiel, 24143 Kiel, Germany
| | - Sarah Pixley
- College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0576, USA
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2
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Monje PV, Bacallao K, Aparicio GI, Lalwani A. Heregulin Activity Assays for Residual Testing of Cell Therapy Products. Biol Proced Online 2021; 23:22. [PMID: 34772336 PMCID: PMC8590303 DOI: 10.1186/s12575-021-00157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Heregulin is a ligand for the protooncogene product ErbB/HER that acts as a key mitogenic factor for human Schwann cells (hSCs). Heregulin is required for sustained hSC growth in vitro but must be thoroughly removed before cell collection for transplantation due to potential safety concerns. The goal of this study was to develop simple cell-based assays to assess the effectiveness of heregulin addition to and removal from aliquots of hSC culture medium. These bioassays were based on the capacity of a β1-heregulin peptide to elicit ErbB/HER receptor signaling in adherent ErbB2+/ErbB3+ cells. Results Western blotting was used to measure the activity of three different β1-heregulin/ErbB-activated kinases (ErbB3/HER3, ERK/MAPK and Akt/PKB) using phospho-specific antibodies against key activating residues. The duration, dose-dependency and specificity of β1-heregulin-initiated kinase phosphorylation were investigated, and controls were implemented for assay optimization and reproducibility to detect β1-heregulin activity in the nanomolar range. Results from these assays showed that the culture medium from transplantable hSCs elicited no detectable activation of the aforementioned kinases in independent rounds of testing, indicating that the implemented measures can ensure that the final hSC product is devoid of bioactive β1-heregulin molecules prior to transplantation. Conclusions These assays may be valuable to detect impurities such as undefined soluble factors or factors for which other biochemical or biological assays are not yet available. Our workflow can be modified as necessary to determine the presence of ErbB/HER, ERK, and Akt activators other than β1-heregulin using native samples, such as fresh isolates from cell- or tissue extracts in addition to culture medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula V Monje
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
| | - Ketty Bacallao
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Gabriela I Aparicio
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Rodolfo A. Ugalde", Universidad Nacional de San Martín and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (IIBio-UNSAM-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Anil Lalwani
- Cell and Gene Therapy CMC and Regulatory Advisor, Boulder, CO, USA
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Kuffler DP. Can lithium enhance the extent of axon regeneration and neurological recovery following peripheral nerve trauma? Neural Regen Res 2021; 17:948-952. [PMID: 34558506 PMCID: PMC8552832 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.324830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical “gold standard” technique for attempting to restore function to nerves with a gap is to bridge the gap with sensory autografts. However, autografts induce good to excellent recovery only across short nerve gaps, in young patients, and when repairs are performed a short time post nerve trauma. Even under the best of conditions, < 50% of patients recover good recovery. Although many alternative techniques have been tested, none is as effective as autografts. Therefore, alternative techniques are required that increase the percentage of patients who recover function and the extent of their recovery. This paper examines the actions of lithium, and how it appears to trigger all the cellular and molecular events required to promote axon regeneration, and how both in animal models and clinically, lithium administration enhances both the extent of axon regeneration and neurological recovery. The paper proposes more extensive clinical testing of lithium for its ability and reliability to increase the extent of axon regeneration and functional recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien P Kuffler
- Institute of Neurobiology, Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR, USA
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Gu XK, Li XR, Lu ML, Xu H. Lithium promotes proliferation and suppresses migration of Schwann cells. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:1955-1961. [PMID: 32246645 PMCID: PMC7513976 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.280324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwann cell proliferation, migration and remyelination of regenerating axons contribute to regeneration after peripheral nervous system injury. Lithium promotes remyelination by Schwann cells and improves peripheral nerve regeneration. However, whether lithium modulates other phenotypes of Schwann cells, especially their proliferation and migration remains elusive. In the current study, primary Schwann cells from rat sciatic nerve stumps were cultured and exposed to 0, 5, 10, 15, or 30 mM lithium chloride (LiCl) for 24 hours. The effects of LiCl on Schwann cell proliferation and migration were examined using the Cell Counting Kit-8, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, Transwell and wound healing assays. Cell Counting Kit-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assays showed that 5, 10, 15, and 30 mM LiCl significantly increased the viability and proliferation rate of Schwann cells. Transwell-based migration assays and wound healing assays showed that 10, 15, and 30 mM LiCl suppressed the migratory ability of Schwann cells. Furthermore, the effects of LiCl on the proliferation and migration phenotypes of Schwann cells were mostly dose-dependent. These data indicate that lithium treatment significantly promotes the proliferation and inhibits the migratory ability of Schwann cells. This conclusion will inform strategies to promote the repair and regeneration of peripheral nerves. All of the animal experiments in this study were ethically approved by the Administration Committee of Experimental Animal Center of Nantong University, China (approval No. 20170320-017) on March 2, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Kun Gu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Hand Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xin-Rui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Mei-Ling Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
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Monje PV. Scalable Differentiation and Dedifferentiation Assays Using Neuron-Free Schwann Cell Cultures. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1739:213-232. [PMID: 29546710 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7649-2_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This chapter describes protocols to establish simplified in vitro assays of Schwann cell (SC) differentiation in the absence of neurons. The assays are based on the capacity of isolated primary SCs to increase or decrease the expression of myelination-associated genes in response to the presence or absence of cell permeable analogs of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). No special conditions of media or substrates beyond the administration or removal of cAMP analogs are required to obtain a synchronous response on differentiation and dedifferentiation. The assays are cost-effective and far easier to implement than traditional myelinating SC-neuron cultures. They are scalable to a variety of plate formats suited for downstream experimentation and analysis. These cell-based assays can be used as drug discovery platforms for the evaluation of novel agents controlling the onset, maintenance, and reversal of the differentiated state using any typical adherent SC population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula V Monje
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
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Tan D, Wen J, Li L, Wang X, Qian C, Pan M, Lai M, Deng J, Hu X, Zhang H, Guo J. Inhibition of RhoA-Subfamily GTPases Suppresses Schwann Cell Proliferation Through Regulating AKT Pathway Rather Than ROCK Pathway. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:437. [PMID: 30515082 PMCID: PMC6255816 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting RhoA-subfamily GTPases by C3 transferase is widely recognized as a prospective strategy to enhance axonal regeneration. When C3 transferase is administered for treating the injured peripheral nerves, Schwann cells (SCs, important glial cells in peripheral nerve) are inevitably impacted and therefore SC bioeffects on nerve regeneration might be influenced. However, the potential role of C3 transferase on SCs remains elusive. Assessed by cell counting, EdU and water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 (WST-1) assays as well as western blotting with PCNA antibody, herein we first found that CT04 (a cell permeable C3 transferase) treatment could significantly suppress SC proliferation. Unexpectedly, using Y27632 to inhibit ROCK (the well-accepted downstream signal molecule of RhoA subfamily) did not impact SC proliferation. Further studies indicated that CT04 could inactivate AKT pathway by altering the expression levels of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), PI3K and PTEN, while activating AKT pathway by IGF-1 or SC79 could reverse the inhibitory effect of CT04 on SC proliferation. Based on present data, we concluded that inhibition of RhoA-subfamily GTPases could suppress SC proliferation, and this effect is independent of conventional ROCK pathway but involves inactivation of AKT pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinkun Wen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lixia Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xianghai Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changhui Qian
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Mengjie Pan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Muhua Lai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junyao Deng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaofang Hu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haowen Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiasong Guo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Construction and Detection in Tissue Engineering, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Monje PV, Sant D, Wang G. Phenotypic and Functional Characteristics of Human Schwann Cells as Revealed by Cell-Based Assays and RNA-SEQ. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 55:6637-6660. [PMID: 29327207 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0837-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
This study comprehensively addresses the phenotype, function, and whole transcriptome of primary human and rodent Schwann cells (SCs) and highlights key species-specific features beyond the expected donor variability that account for the differential ability of human SCs to proliferate, differentiate, and interact with axons in vitro. Contrary to rat SCs, human SCs were insensitive to mitogenic factors other than neuregulin and presented phenotypic variants at various stages of differentiation, along with a mixture of proliferating and senescent cells, under optimal growth-promoting conditions. The responses of human SCs to cAMP-induced differentiation featured morphological changes and cell cycle exit without a concomitant increase in myelin-related proteins and lipids. Human SCs efficiently extended processes along those of other SCs (human or rat) but failed to do so when placed in co-culture with sensory neurons under conditions supportive of myelination. Indeed, axon contact-dependent human SC alignment, proliferation, and differentiation were not observed and could not be overcome by growth factor supplementation. Strikingly, RNA-seq data revealed that ~ 44 of the transcriptome contained differentially expressed genes in human and rat SCs. A bioinformatics approach further highlighted that representative SC-specific transcripts encoding myelin-related and axon growth-promoting proteins were significantly affected and that a deficient expression of key transducers of cAMP and adhesion signaling explained the fairly limited potential of human SCs to differentiate and respond to axonal cues. These results confirmed the significance of combining traditional bioassays and high-resolution genomics methods to characterize human SCs and identify genes predictive of cell function and therapeutic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula V Monje
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis and Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1095 NW 14th Terrace, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| | - David Sant
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Gaofeng Wang
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.,Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
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Ravelo KM, Andersen ND, Monje PV. Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting for the Fast and Efficient Separation of Human and Rodent Schwann Cells from Mixed Cell Populations. Methods Mol Biol 2018; 1739:87-109. [PMID: 29546702 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-7649-2_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
To date, magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) remains a powerful method to isolate distinct cell populations based on differential cell surface labeling. Optimized direct and indirect MACS protocols for cell immunolabeling are presented here as methods to divest Schwann cell (SC) cultures of contaminating cells (specifically, fibroblast cells) and isolate SC populations at different stages of differentiation. This chapter describes (1) the preparation of single-cell suspensions from established human and rat SC cultures, (2) the design and application of cell selection strategies using SC-specific (p75NGFR, O4, and O1) and fibroblast-specific (Thy-1) markers, and (3) the characterization of both the pre- and post-sorting cell populations. A simple protocol for the growth of hybridoma cell cultures as a source of monoclonal antibodies for cell surface immunolabeling of SCs and fibroblasts is provided as a cost-effective alternative for commercially available products. These steps allow for the timely and efficient recovery of purified SC populations without compromising the viability and biological activity of the cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine M Ravelo
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Natalia D Andersen
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Paula V Monje
- The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
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