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Zhou X, Lv Y, Xie H, Li Y, Liu C, Zheng M, Wu R, Zhou S, Gu X, Li J, Mi D. RNA sequencing of exosomes secreted by fibroblast and Schwann cells elucidates mechanisms underlying peripheral nerve regeneration. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1812-1821. [PMID: 38103248 PMCID: PMC10960293 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.387980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202408000-00035/figure1/v/2023-12-16T180322Z/r/image-tiff Exosomes exhibit complex biological functions and mediate a variety of biological processes, such as promoting axonal regeneration and functional recovery after injury. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play a crucial role in axonal regeneration. However, the role of the lncRNA-microRNA-messenger RNA (mRNA)-competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network in exosome-mediated axonal regeneration remains unclear. In this study, we performed RNA transcriptome sequencing analysis to assess mRNA expression patterns in exosomes produced by cultured fibroblasts (FC-EXOs) and Schwann cells (SC-EXOs). Differential gene expression analysis, Gene Ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis, and protein-protein interaction network analysis were used to explore the functions and related pathways of RNAs isolated from FC-EXOs and SC-EXOs. We found that the ribosome-related central gene Rps5 was enriched in FC-EXOs and SC-EXOs, which suggests that it may promote axonal regeneration. In addition, using the miRWalk and Starbase prediction databases, we constructed a regulatory network of ceRNAs targeting Rps5, including 27 microRNAs and five lncRNAs. The ceRNA regulatory network, which included Ftx and Miat, revealed that exsosome-derived Rps5 inhibits scar formation and promotes axonal regeneration and functional recovery after nerve injury. Our findings suggest that exosomes derived from fibroblast and Schwann cells could be used to treat injuries of peripheral nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyang Zhou
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yehua Lv
- Department of Orthopedic, Nantong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Huimin Xie
- Nantong Stomatological Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yan Li
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Mengru Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ronghua Wu
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Songlin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiaosong Gu
- Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Co-Innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of General Practice, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Daguo Mi
- Department of Orthopedic, Nantong Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
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Drouyer M, Chu TH, Labit E, Haase F, Navarro RG, Nazareth D, Rosin N, Merjane J, Scott S, Cabanes-Creus M, Westhaus A, Zhu E, Midha R, Alexander IE, Biernaskie J, Ginn SL, Lisowski L. Novel AAV variants with improved tropism for human Schwann cells. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2024; 32:101234. [PMID: 38558569 PMCID: PMC10978538 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2024.101234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Gene therapies and associated technologies are transforming biomedical research and enabling novel therapeutic options for patients living with debilitating and incurable genetic disorders. The vector system based on recombinant adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) has shown great promise in recent clinical trials for genetic diseases of multiple organs, such as the liver and the nervous system. Despite recent successes toward the development of novel bioengineered AAV variants for improved transduction of primary human tissues and cells, vectors that can efficiently transduce human Schwann cells (hSCs) have yet to be identified. Here, we report the application of the functional transduction-RNA selection method in primary hSCs for the development of AAV variants for specific and efficient transgene delivery to hSCs. The two identified capsid variants, Pep2hSC1 and Pep2hSC2, show conserved potency for delivery across various in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo models of hSCs. These novel AAV capsids will serve as valuable research tools, forming the basis for therapeutic solutions for both SC-related disorders or peripheral nervous system injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthieu Drouyer
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Tak-Ho Chu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Elodie Labit
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Florencia Haase
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Renina Gale Navarro
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Deborah Nazareth
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicole Rosin
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Jessica Merjane
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Suzanne Scott
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Marti Cabanes-Creus
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Adrian Westhaus
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Erhua Zhu
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Rajiv Midha
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Ian E. Alexander
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Discipline of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jeff Biernaskie
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Surgery, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Samantha L. Ginn
- Gene Therapy Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Leszek Lisowski
- Translational Vectorology Research Unit, Children’s Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Australian Genome Therapeutics Centre, Children’s Medical Research Institute and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Westmead, NSW, Australia
- Laboratory of Molecular Oncology and Innovative Therapies, Military Institute of Medicine - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
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Wei C, Guo Y, Ci Z, Li M, Zhang Y, Zhou Y. Advances of Schwann cells in peripheral nerve regeneration: From mechanism to cell therapy. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 175:116645. [PMID: 38729050 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) frequently occur due to various factors, including mechanical trauma such as accidents or tool-related incidents, as well as complications arising from diseases like tumor resection. These injuries frequently result in persistent numbness, impaired motor and sensory functions, neuropathic pain, or even paralysis, which can impose a significant financial burden on patients due to outcomes that often fall short of expectations. The most frequently employed clinical treatment for PNIs involves either direct sutures of the severed ends or bridging the proximal and distal stumps using autologous nerve grafts. However, autologous nerve transplantation may result in sensory and motor functional loss at the donor site, as well as neuroma formation and scarring. Transplantation of Schwann cells/Schwann cell-like cells has emerged as a promising cellular therapy to reconstruct the microenvironment and facilitate peripheral nerve regeneration. In this review, we summarize the role of Schwann cells and recent advances in Schwann cell therapy in peripheral nerve regeneration. We summarize current techniques used in cell therapy, including cell injection, 3D-printed scaffolds for cell delivery, cell encapsulation techniques, as well as the cell types employed in experiments, experimental models, and research findings. At the end of the paper, we summarize the challenges and advantages of various cells (including ESCs, iPSCs, and BMSCs) in clinical cell therapy. Our goal is to provide the theoretical and experimental basis for future treatments targeting peripheral nerves, highlighting the potential of cell therapy and tissue engineering as invaluable resources for promoting nerve regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuqiao Wei
- Department of Oral Implantology, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuanxin Guo
- Department of Oral Implantology, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhen Ci
- Department of Oral Implantology, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Mucong Li
- Department of Oral Implantology, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yidi Zhang
- Department of Oral Implantology, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
| | - Yanmin Zhou
- Department of Oral Implantology, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China; Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Tooth Development and Bone Remodeling, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
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Khullar S, Huang X, Ramesh R, Svaren J, Wang D. NetREm: Network Regression Embeddings reveal cell-type transcription factor coordination for gene regulation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.10.25.563769. [PMID: 37961577 PMCID: PMC10634989 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.25.563769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Transcription factor (TF) coordination plays a key role in target gene (TG) regulation via protein-protein interactions (PPIs) and DNA co-binding to regulatory elements. Single-cell technologies facilitate gene expression measurement for individual cells and cell-type identification, yet the connection between TF coordination and TG regulation of various cell types remains unclear. To address this, we have developed a novel computational approach, Network Regression Embeddings (NetREm), to reveal cell-type TF-TF coordination activities for TG regulation. NetREm leverages network-constrained regularization using prior knowledge of direct and/or indirect PPIs among TFs to analyze single-cell gene expression data. We test NetREm by simulation data and benchmark its performance in 4 real-world applications that have gold standard TF-TG networks available: mouse (mESCs) and simulated human (hESCs) embryonic stem (ESCs), human hematopoietic stem (HSCs), and mouse dendritic (mDCs) cells. Further, we use NetREm to prioritize valid novel TF-TF coordination links in human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear cell (PBMC) sub-types. We apply NetREm to analyze various cell types in both central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nerve system (NS) (e.g. neuronal, glial, Schwann cells (SCs)) as well as in Alzheimers disease (AD). Our findings uncover cell-type coordinating TFs and identify new TF-TG candidate links. We validate our top predictions using Cut&Run and knockout loss-of-function expression data in rat/mouse models and compare results with additional functional genomic data, including expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) and Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to link genetic variants (single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)) to TF coordination.
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Libberecht K, Dirkx N, Vangansewinkel T, Vandendries W, Lambrichts I, Wolfs E. The Influence of Lysosomal Stress on Dental Pulp Stem Cell-Derived Schwann Cells. Biomolecules 2024; 14:405. [PMID: 38672423 PMCID: PMC11048368 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/16/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dysregulation of the endo-lysosomal-autophagy pathway has been identified as a critical factor in the pathology of various demyelinating neurodegenerative diseases, including peripheral neuropathies. This pathway plays a crucial role in transporting newly synthesized myelin proteins to the plasma membrane in myelinating Schwann cells, making these cells susceptible to lysosome-related dysfunctions. Nevertheless, the specific impact of lysosomal dysfunction in Schwann cells and its contribution to neurodegeneration remain poorly understood. METHODS We aim to mimic lysosomal dysfunction in Schwann cells using chloroquine, a lysosomal dysfunction inducer, and to monitor lysosomal leakiness, Schwann cell viability, and apoptosis over time. Additionally, due to the ethical and experimental issues associated with cell isolation and the culturing of human Schwann cells, we use human dental pulp stem cell-derived Schwann cells (DPSC-SCs) as a model in our study. RESULTS Chloroquine incubation boosts lysosomal presence as demonstrated by an increased Lysotracker signal. Further in-depth lysosomal analysis demonstrated an increased lysosomal size and permeability as illustrated by a TEM analysis and GAL3-LAMP1 staining. Moreover, an Alamar blue assay and Caspase-3 staining demonstrates a reduced viability and increased apoptosis, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Our data indicate that prolonged lysosomal dysfunction leads to lysosomal permeability, reduced viability, and eventually apoptosis in human DPSC-SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Libberecht
- Laboratory for Functional Imaging & Research on Stem Cells, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (K.L.); (N.D.)
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Dirkx
- Laboratory for Functional Imaging & Research on Stem Cells, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (K.L.); (N.D.)
| | - Tim Vangansewinkel
- Laboratory for Functional Imaging & Research on Stem Cells, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (K.L.); (N.D.)
- VIB, Center for Brain & Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for Histology and Regeneration, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium;
| | - Wendy Vandendries
- Laboratory for Functional Imaging & Research on Stem Cells, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (K.L.); (N.D.)
| | - Ivo Lambrichts
- Laboratory for Histology and Regeneration, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium;
| | - Esther Wolfs
- Laboratory for Functional Imaging & Research on Stem Cells, Biomedical Research Institute (BIOMED), Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (K.L.); (N.D.)
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Xu Z, Arkudas A, Munawar MA, Schubert DW, Fey T, Weisbach V, Mengen LM, Horch RE, Cai A. Schwann Cells Do Not Promote Myogenic Differentiation in the EPI Loop Model. Tissue Eng Part A 2024; 30:244-256. [PMID: 38063005 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2023.0215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In skeletal muscle tissue engineering, innervation and vascularization play an essential role in the establishment of functional skeletal muscle. For adequate three-dimensional assembly, biocompatible aligned nanofibers are beneficial as matrices for cell seeding. The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of Schwann cells (SC) on myoblast (Mb) and adipogenic mesenchymal stromal cell (ADSC) cocultures on poly-ɛ-caprolactone (PCL)-collagen I-nanofibers in vivo. Human Mb/ADSC cocultures, as well as Mb/ADSC/SC cocultures, were seeded onto PCL-collagen I-nanofiber scaffolds and implanted into the innervated arteriovenous loop model (EPI loop model) of immunodeficient rats for 4 weeks. Histological staining and gene expression were used to compare their capacity for vascularization, immunological response, myogenic differentiation, and innervation. After 4 weeks, both Mb/ADSC and Mb/ADSC/SC coculture systems showed similar amounts and distribution of vascularization, as well as immunological activity. Myogenic differentiation could be observed in both groups through histological staining (desmin, myosin heavy chain) and gene expression (MYOD, MYH3, ACTA1) without significant difference between groups. Expression of CHRNB and LAMB2 also implied neuromuscular junction formation. Our study suggests that the addition of SC did not significantly impact myogenesis and innervation in this model. The implanted motor nerve branch may have played a more significant role than the presence of SC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhou Xu
- Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
- Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong, China
| | - Andreas Arkudas
- Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Muhammad Azeem Munawar
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Polymer Materials, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Dirk W Schubert
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Polymer Materials, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Tobias Fey
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Institute of Glass and Ceramics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Volker Weisbach
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lilly M Mengen
- Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Raymund E Horch
- Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
| | - Aijia Cai
- Laboratory for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital of Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Erlangen, Germany
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Wang WN, Koguchi-Yoshioka H, Nimura K, Watanabe R, Tanemura A, Fujimoto M, Wataya-Kaneda M. Distinct Transcriptional Profiles in the Different Phenotypes of Neurofibroma from the Same Subject with Neurofibromatosis 1. J Invest Dermatol 2024; 144:133-141.e4. [PMID: 37301319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jid.2023.03.1688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Neurofibromatosis 1 is a prevalent hereditary neurocutaneous disorder. Among the clinical phenotypes of neurofibromatosis 1, cutaneous neurofibroma (cNF) and plexiform neurofibroma (pNF) have distinct clinical manifestations, and pNF should be closely monitored owing to its malignant potential. However, the detailed distinct features of neurofibromatosis 1 phenotypes remain unknown. To determine whether the transcriptional features and microenvironment of cNF and pNF differ, single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on isolated cNF and pNF cells from the same patient. Six cNF and five pNF specimens from different subjects were also immunohistochemically analyzed. Our findings revealed that cNF and pNF had distinct transcriptional profiles even within the same subject. pNF is enriched in Schwann cells with characteristics similar to those of their malignant counterpart, fibroblasts, with a cancer-associated fibroblast-like phenotype, angiogenic endothelial cells, and M2-like macrophages, whereas cNF is enriched in CD8 T cells with tissue residency markers. The results of immunohistochemical analyses performed on different subjects agreed with those of single-cell RNA sequencing. This study found that cNF and pNF, the different neurofibromatosis phenotypes in neurofibromatosis 1, from the same subject are transcriptionally distinct in terms of the cell types involved, including T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Ning Wang
- Department of Dermatology, Course of Integrated Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hanako Koguchi-Yoshioka
- Department of Dermatology, Course of Integrated Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Division of Health Science, Department of Neurocutaneous Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Nimura
- Division of Gene Therapy Science, Department of Genome Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Rei Watanabe
- Department of Dermatology, Course of Integrated Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Department of Integrative Medicine for Allergic and Immunological Diseases, Course of Integrated Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Tanemura
- Department of Dermatology, Course of Integrated Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Manabu Fujimoto
- Department of Dermatology, Course of Integrated Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mari Wataya-Kaneda
- Department of Dermatology, Course of Integrated Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine/Faculty of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Division of Health Science, Department of Neurocutaneous Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
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Aparicio GI, Monje PV. Human Schwann Cells in vitro I. Nerve Tissue Processing, Pre-degeneration, Isolation, and Culturing of Primary Cells. Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4748. [PMID: 38023787 PMCID: PMC10665635 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper presents versatile protocols to prepare primary human Schwann cell (hSC) cultures from mature peripheral nervous system tissues, including fascicles from long spinal nerves, nerve roots, and ganglia. This protocol starts with a description of nerve tissue procurement, handling, and dissection to obtain tissue sections suitable for hSC isolation and culturing. A description follows on how to disintegrate the nerve tissue by delayed enzymatic dissociation, plate the initial cell suspensions on a two-dimensional substrate, and culture the primary hSCs. Each section contains detailed procedures, technical notes, and background information to aid investigators in understanding and managing all steps. Some general recommendations are made to optimize the recovery, growth, and purity of the hSC cultures irrespective of the tissue source. These recommendations include: (1) pre-culturing epineurium- and perineurium-free nerve fascicles under conditions of adherence or suspension depending on the size of the explants to facilitate the release of proliferative, in vitro-activated hSCs; (2) plating the initial cell suspensions as individual droplets on a laminin-coated substrate to expedite cell adhesion and thereby increase the recovery of viable cells; and (3) culturing the fascicles (pre-degeneration step) and the cells derived therefrom in mitogen- and serum-supplemented medium to accelerate hSC dedifferentiation and promote mitogenesis before and after tissue dissociation, respectively. The hSC cultures obtained as suggested in this protocol are suitable for assorted basic and translational research applications. With the appropriate adaptations, donor-relevant hSC cultures can be prepared using fresh or postmortem tissue biospecimens of a wide range of types and sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela I. Aparicio
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Paula V. Monje
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Monje PV. Human Schwann Cells in vitro III. Analytical Methods and a Practical Approach for Quality Control. Bio Protoc 2023; 13:e4840. [PMID: 38034849 PMCID: PMC10682955 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.4840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper introduces simple analytical methods and bioassays to promptly assess the identity and function of in vitro cultured human Schwann cells (hSCs). A systematic approach is proposed to unequivocally discriminate hSCs from other glial cells, non-glial cells, and non-human SCs (authentication), identify hSCs at different stages of differentiation, and determine whether individual hSCs are proliferative or senescent. Examples of how to use distinct cell-based approaches for quality control and routine troubleshooting are provided to confirm the constitution (identity, purity, and heterogeneity) and potency (bioactivity) of hSC cultures from multiple sources. The bioassays are valuable for rapidly gauging the responses of hSCs to mitogenic and differentiating factors and ascertaining the cells' basic properties before performing co-culture or cell grafting studies. The assays are image based and use adherent hSCs established in monoculture to simplify the experimental setup and interpretation of results. Finally, all sections contain thorough background information, notes, and references to facilitate decision making, data interpretation, and ad hoc method development for diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula V. Monje
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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Bell SM, Evans JM, Greif EA, Tsai KL, Friedenberg SG, Clark LA. GWAS using low-pass whole genome sequence reveals a novel locus in canine congenital idiopathic megaesophagus. Mamm Genome 2023; 34:464-472. [PMID: 37041421 PMCID: PMC10600401 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-023-09991-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
Congenital idiopathic megaesophagus (CIM) is a gastrointestinal disorder of dogs wherein the esophagus is dilated and swallowing activity is reduced, causing regurgitation of ingesta. Affected individuals experience weight loss and malnourishment and are at risk for aspiration pneumonia, intussusception, and euthanasia. Great Danes have among the highest incidences of CIM across dog breeds, suggesting a genetic predisposition. We generated low-pass sequencing data for 83 Great Danes and used variant calls to impute missing whole genome single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) for each individual based on haplotypes phased from 624 high-coverage dog genomes, including 21 Great Danes. We validated the utility of our imputed data set for genome-wide association studies (GWASs) by mapping loci known to underlie coat phenotypes with simple and complex inheritance patterns. We conducted a GWAS for CIM with 2,010,300 SNVs, identifying a novel locus on canine chromosome 1 (P-val = 2.76 × 10-10). Associated SNVs are intergenic or intronic and are found in two clusters across a 1.7-Mb region. Inspection of coding regions in high-coverage genomes from affected Great Danes did not reveal candidate causal variants, suggesting that regulatory variants underlie CIM. Further studies are necessary to assess the role of these non-coding variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Bell
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Jacquelyn M Evans
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Greif
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Kate L Tsai
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Steven G Friedenberg
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA.
| | - Leigh Anne Clark
- Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA.
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11
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Huang Z, Powell R, Kankowski S, Phillips JB, Haastert-Talini K. Culture Conditions for Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Schwann Cells: A Two-Centre Study. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065366. [PMID: 36982441 PMCID: PMC10049204 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult human Schwann cells represent a relevant tool for studying peripheral neuropathies and developing regenerative therapies to treat nerve damage. Primary adult human Schwann cells are, however, difficult to obtain and challenging to propagate in culture. One potential solution is to generate Schwann cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). Previously published protocols, however, in our hands did not deliver sufficient viable cell numbers of hiPSC-derived Schwann cells (hiPSC-SCs). We present here, two modified protocols from two collaborating laboratories that overcome these challenges. With this, we also identified the relevant parameters to be specifically considered in any proposed differentiation protocol. Furthermore, we are, to our knowledge, the first to directly compare hiPSC-SCs to primary adult human Schwann cells using immunocytochemistry and RT-qPCR. We conclude the type of coating to be important during the differentiation process from Schwann cell precursor cells or immature Schwann cells to definitive Schwann cells, as well as the amounts of glucose in the specific differentiation medium to be crucial for increasing its efficiency and the final yield of viable hiPSC-SCs. Our hiPSC-SCs further displayed high similarity to primary adult human Schwann cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhong Huang
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), 30623 Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN) Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Rebecca Powell
- Department of Pharmacology, University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, UCL, London WC1H 0AL, UK
| | - Svenja Kankowski
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), 30623 Hannover, Germany
| | - James B. Phillips
- Department of Pharmacology, University College London (UCL) School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, UK
- UCL Centre for Nerve Engineering, UCL, London WC1H 0AL, UK
- Correspondence: (J.B.P.); (K.H.-T.)
| | - Kirsten Haastert-Talini
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), 30623 Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN) Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
- Correspondence: (J.B.P.); (K.H.-T.)
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12
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A Multi-Stage Bioprocess for the Expansion of Rodent Skin-Derived Schwann Cells in Computer-Controlled Bioreactors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065152. [PMID: 36982227 PMCID: PMC10049355 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Regenerative therapies for the treatment of peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries can require hundreds of millions of autologous cells. Current treatments involve the harvest of Schwann cells (SCs) from nerves; however, this is an invasive procedure. Therefore, a promising alternative is using skin-derived Schwann cells (Sk-SCs), in which between 3–5 million cells can be harvested from a standard skin biopsy. However, traditional static planar culture is still inefficient at expanding cells to clinically relevant numbers. As a result, bioreactors can be used to develop reproducible bioprocesses for the large-scale expansion of therapeutic cells. Here, we present a proof-of-concept SC manufacturing bioprocess using rat Sk-SCs. With this integrated process, we were able to simulate a feasible bioprocess, taking into consideration the harvest and shipment of cells to a production facility, the generation of the final cell product, and the cryopreservation and shipment of cells back to the clinic and patient. This process started with 3 million cells and inoculated and expanded them to over 200 million cells in 6 days. Following the harvest and post-harvest cryopreservation and thaw, we were able to maintain 150 million viable cells that exhibited a characteristic Schwann cell phenotype throughout each step of the process. This process led to a 50-fold expansion, producing a clinically relevant number of cells in a 500 mL bioreactor in just 1 week, which is a dramatic improvement over current methods of expansion.
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13
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Wu LMN, Zhang F, Rao R, Adam M, Pollard K, Szabo S, Liu X, Belcher KA, Luo Z, Ogurek S, Reilly C, Zhou X, Zhang L, Rubin J, Chang LS, Xin M, Yu J, Suva M, Pratilas CA, Potter S, Lu QR. Single-cell multiomics identifies clinically relevant mesenchymal stem-like cells and key regulators for MPNST malignancy. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo5442. [PMID: 36322658 PMCID: PMC9629745 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo5442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST), a highly aggressive Schwann cell (SC)-derived soft tissue sarcoma, arises from benign neurofibroma (NF); however, the identity, heterogeneity and origins of tumor populations remain elusive. Nestin+ cells have been implicated as tumor stem cells in MPNST; unexpectedly, single-cell profiling of human NF and MPNST and their animal models reveal a broad range of nestin-expressing SC lineage cells and dynamic acquisition of discrete cancer states during malignant transformation. We uncover a nestin-negative mesenchymal neural crest-like subpopulation as a previously unknown malignant stem-like state common to murine and human MPNSTs, which correlates with clinical severity. Integrative multiomics profiling further identifies unique regulatory networks and druggable targets against the malignant subpopulations in MPNST. Targeting key epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stemness regulators including ZEB1 and ALDH1A1 impedes MPNST growth. Together, our studies reveal the underlying principles of tumor cell-state evolution and their regulatory circuitries during NF-to-MPNST transformation, highlighting a hitherto unrecognized mesenchymal stem-like subpopulation in MPNST disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai Man Natalie Wu
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Feng Zhang
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Rohit Rao
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Mike Adam
- Division of Developmental Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Kai Pollard
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sara Szabo
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Xuezhao Liu
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Katie A. Belcher
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Zaili Luo
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Sean Ogurek
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Colleen Reilly
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Xin Zhou
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Environmental and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Joshua Rubin
- Department of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Long-sheng Chang
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Mei Xin
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Jiyang Yu
- Department of Computational Biology, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105, USA
| | - Mario Suva
- Department of Pathology and Department of Medicine, Center for Cancer Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Christine A. Pratilas
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Steven Potter
- Division of Developmental Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Q. Richard Lu
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Brain Tumor Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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14
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iPSCs in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Unique Platform for Clinical Research and Personalized Medicine. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12091485. [PMID: 36143270 PMCID: PMC9500601 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12091485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past, several animal disease models were developed to study the molecular mechanism of neurological diseases and discover new therapies, but the lack of equivalent animal models has minimized the success rate. A number of critical issues remain unresolved, such as high costs for developing animal models, ethical issues, and lack of resemblance with human disease. Due to poor initial screening and assessment of the molecules, more than 90% of drugs fail during the final step of the human clinical trial. To overcome these limitations, a new approach has been developed based on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The discovery of iPSCs has provided a new roadmap for clinical translation research and regeneration therapy. In this article, we discuss the potential role of patient-derived iPSCs in neurological diseases and their contribution to scientific and clinical research for developing disease models and for developing a roadmap for future medicine. The contribution of humaniPSCs in the most common neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease, diabetic neuropathy, stroke, and spinal cord injury) were examined and ranked as per their published literature on PUBMED. We have observed that Parkinson’s disease scored highest, followed by Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, we also explored recent advancements in the field of personalized medicine, such as the patient-on-a-chip concept, where iPSCs can be grown on 3D matrices inside microfluidic devices to create an in vitro disease model for personalized medicine.
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15
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4-Aminopyridine Induces Nerve Growth Factor to Improve Skin Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10071649. [PMID: 35884953 PMCID: PMC9313269 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10071649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The discovery of ways to enhance skin wound healing is of great importance due to the frequency of skin lesions. We discovered that 4-aminopyridine (4-AP), a potassium channel blocker approved by the FDA for improving walking ability in multiple sclerosis, greatly enhances skin wound healing. Benefits included faster wound closure, restoration of normal-appearing skin architecture, and reinnervation. Hair follicle neogenesis within the healed wounds was increased, both histologically and by analysis of K15 and K17 expression. 4-AP increased levels of vimentin (fibroblasts) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA, collagen-producing myofibroblasts) in the healed dermis. 4-AP also increased neuronal regeneration with increased numbers of axons and S100+ Schwann cells (SCs), and increased expression of SRY-Box Transcription Factor 10 (SOX10). Treatment also increased levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), substance P, and nerve growth factor (NGF), important promoters of wound healing. In vitro studies demonstrated that 4-AP induced nerve growth factor and enhanced proliferation and migration of human keratinocytes. Thus, 4-AP enhanced many of the key attributes of successful wound healing and offers a promising new approach to enhance skin wound healing and tissue regeneration.
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16
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Chu TH, Baral K, Labit E, Rosin N, Sinha S, Umansky D, Alzahrani S, Rancourt D, Biernaskie J, Midha R. Comparison of human skin- and nerve-derived Schwann cells reveals many similarities and subtle genomic and functional differences. Glia 2022; 70:2131-2156. [PMID: 35796321 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Skin is an easily accessible tissue and a rich source of Schwann cells (SCs). Toward potential clinical application of autologous SC therapies, we aim to improve the reliability and specificity of our protocol to obtain SCs from small skin samples. As well, to explore potential functional distinctions between skin-derived SCs (Sk-SCs) and nerve-derived SCs (N-SCs), we used single-cell RNA-sequencing and a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. Our results showed that Sk-SCs expressed typical SC markers. Single-cell sequencing of Sk- and N-SCs revealed an overwhelming overlap in gene expression with the exception of HLA genes which were preferentially up-regulated in Sk-SCs. In vitro, both cell types exhibited similar levels of proliferation, migration, uptake of myelin debris and readily associated with neurites when co-cultured with human iPSC-induced motor neurons. Both exhibited ensheathment of multiple neurites and early phase of myelination, especially in N-SCs. Interestingly, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurite outgrowth assay showed substantially more complexed neurite outgrowth in DRGs exposed to Sk-SC conditioned media compared to those from N-SCs. Multiplex ELISA array revealed shared growth factor profiles, but Sk-SCs expressed a higher level of VEGF. Transplantation of Sk- and N-SCs into injured peripheral nerve in nude rats and NOD-SCID mice showed close association of both SCs to regenerating axons. Myelination of rodent axons was observed infrequently by N-SCs, but absent in Sk-SC xenografts. Overall, our results showed that Sk-SCs share near-identical properties to N-SCs but with subtle differences that could potentially enhance their therapeutic utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tak-Ho Chu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kabita Baral
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Elodie Labit
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Nicole Rosin
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sarthak Sinha
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Daniel Umansky
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Saud Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Derrick Rancourt
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,McCaig Institute for Bone and Joint Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jeff Biernaskie
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Rajiv Midha
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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17
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Rao Z, Lin Z, Song P, Quan D, Bai Y. Biomaterial-Based Schwann Cell Transplantation and Schwann Cell-Derived Biomaterials for Nerve Regeneration. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:926222. [PMID: 35836742 PMCID: PMC9273721 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.926222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwann cells (SCs) dominate the regenerative behaviors after peripheral nerve injury by supporting axonal regrowth and remyelination. Previous reports also demonstrated that the existence of SCs is beneficial for nerve regeneration after traumatic injuries in central nervous system. Therefore, the transplantation of SCs/SC-like cells serves as a feasible cell therapy to reconstruct the microenvironment and promote nerve functional recovery for both peripheral and central nerve injury repair. However, direct cell transplantation often leads to low efficacy, due to injection induced cell damage and rapid loss in the circulatory system. In recent years, biomaterials have received great attention as functional carriers for effective cell transplantation. To better mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM), many biodegradable materials have been engineered with compositional and/or topological cues to maintain the biological properties of the SCs/SCs-like cells. In addition, ECM components or factors secreted by SCs also actively contribute to nerve regeneration. Such cell-free transplantation approaches may provide great promise in clinical translation. In this review, we first present the current bio-scaffolds engineered for SC transplantation and their achievement in animal models and clinical applications. To this end, we focus on the physical and biological properties of different biomaterials and highlight how these properties affect the biological behaviors of the SCs/SC-like cells. Second, the SC-derived biomaterials are also reviewed and discussed. Finally, the relationship between SCs and functional biomaterials is summarized, and the trends of their future development are predicted toward clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zilong Rao
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre for Functional Biomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zudong Lin
- PCFM Lab, GD HPPC Lab, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Panpan Song
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre for Functional Biomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Daping Quan
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre for Functional Biomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Bai
- Guangdong Engineering Technology Research Centre for Functional Biomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ying Bai
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18
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Su Q, Nasser MI, He J, Deng G, Ouyang Q, Zhuang D, Deng Y, Hu H, Liu N, Li Z, Zhu P, Li G. Engineered Schwann Cell-Based Therapies for Injury Peripheral Nerve Reconstruction. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:865266. [PMID: 35602558 PMCID: PMC9120533 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.865266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Compared with the central nervous system, the adult peripheral nervous system possesses a remarkable regenerative capacity, which is due to the strong plasticity of Schwann cells (SCs) in peripheral nerves. After peripheral nervous injury, SCs de-differentiate and transform into repair phenotypes, and play a critical role in axonal regeneration, myelin formation, and clearance of axonal and myelin debris. In view of the limited self-repair capability of SCs for long segment defects of peripheral nerve defects, it is of great clinical value to supplement SCs in necrotic areas through gene modification or stem cell transplantation or to construct tissue-engineered nerve combined with bioactive scaffolds to repair such tissue defects. Based on the developmental lineage of SCs and the gene regulation network after peripheral nerve injury (PNI), this review summarizes the possibility of using SCs constructed by the latest gene modification technology to repair PNI. The therapeutic effects of tissue-engineered nerve constructed by materials combined with Schwann cells resembles autologous transplantation, which is the gold standard for PNI repair. Therefore, this review generalizes the research progress of biomaterials combined with Schwann cells for PNI repair. Based on the difficulty of donor sources, this review also discusses the potential of “unlimited” provision of pluripotent stem cells capable of directing differentiation or transforming existing somatic cells into induced SCs. The summary of these concepts and therapeutic strategies makes it possible for SCs to be used more effectively in the repair of PNI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qisong Su
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangzhou, China
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Moussa Ide Nasser
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaming He
- School of Basic Medical Science, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Gang Deng
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangzhou, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qing Ouyang
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangzhou, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Donglin Zhuang
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yuzhi Deng
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangzhou, China
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Haoyun Hu
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangzhou, China
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Nanbo Liu
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhetao Li
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ping Zhu
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangzhou, China
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- The First Clinical College, Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, China
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Structural Heart Disease, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ping Zhu,
| | - Ge Li
- Medical Research Center, Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital, Guangdong Cardiovascular Institute, Guangzhou, China
- School of Biology and Biological Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Structural Heart Disease, Guangzhou, China
- Ge Li,
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19
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Schwann Cells Promote Myogenic Differentiation of Myoblasts and Adipogenic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells on Poly-ɛ-Caprolactone-Collagen I-Nanofibers. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091436. [PMID: 35563742 PMCID: PMC9100029 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
For the purpose of skeletal muscle tissue engineering, different cell types have been investigated regarding their myogenic differentiation potential, including co-cultured myoblasts and adipogenic mesenchymal stromal cells (Mb/ADSC). As neural cells enhance synaptic junction formation, the aim of this study was to co-culture Schwann cells (SCs) with Mb/ADSC on biocompatible electrospun aligned poly-ε-polycaprolacton (PCL)-collagen I-nanofibers. It was hypothesized that SCs, as part of the peripheral nervous system, promote the myogenic differentiation of Mb/ADSC co-cultures. Mb/ADSC were compared to Mb/ADSC/SC regarding their capacity for myogenic differentiation via immunofluorescent staining and gene expression of myogenic markers. Mb/ADSC/SC showed more myotubes after 28 days of differentiation (p ≤ 0.05). After 28 days of differentiation on electrospun aligned PCL-collagen I-nanofibers, gene expression of myosin heavy chains (MYH2) and myogenin (MYOG) was upregulated in Mb/ADSC/SC compared to Mb/ADSC (p ≤ 0.01 and p ≤ 0.05, respectively). Immunofluorescent staining for MHC showed highly aligned multinucleated cells as possible myotube formation in Mb/ADSC/SC. In conclusion, SCs promote myogenic differentiation of Mb/ADSC. The co-culture of primary Mb/ADSC/SC on PCL-collagen I-nanofibers serves as a physiological model for skeletal muscle tissue engineering, applicable to future clinical applications.
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20
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Xiong ZL, Wang Y, Zhou C, Ma XL, Jiang XW, Yu WH. Based on proteomics to explore the mechanism of mecobalamin promoting the repair of injured peripheral nerves. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2022; 100:562-572. [PMID: 35413215 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2021-0692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Mecobalamin is commonly used in the adjuvant intervention of various peripheral nerve injuries. Actin cytoskeleton plays a role in regeneration of myelin and axon. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of mecobalamin regulating actin cytoskeleton in repairing nerve injury. In this study, a crush injury on the right sciatic nerve of two group of rats (12 in each group) was established. The control group was only given normal saline (i.g.), and the intervention group was given Mecobalamin 1mg/kg (i.g.). The rats were sacrificed on 28th day and the injured nerves were collected for proteomics. The result shows that regulation of actin cytoskeleton pathway changed significantly. The expression of protein Vav1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In the intervention group, the nerve fiber structure was complete, the axons were dense and symmetrical, the myelin sheath was compact and uniform in thickness, The positive rate of myelin basic protein (MBP) and βⅢ-Tubulin was higher than that in the control group. The findings of the study show that mecobalamin regulates the actin cytoskeleton in the repair of nerve damage and up-regulates vav1 in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zong-Liang Xiong
- Northeast Agricultural University, 12430, College of Veterinary Medicine, Harbin, Harbin, China;
| | - Yao Wang
- Northeast Agricultural University, 12430, College of Veterinary Medicine, Harbin, Harbin, China;
| | - Chong Zhou
- Northeast Agricultural University, 12430, Harbin, Harbin, China;
| | - Xiang-Lin Ma
- Northeast Agricultural University, 12430, College of Veterinary Medicine, Harbin, Harbin, China;
| | - Xiao-Wen Jiang
- Northeast Agricultural University, 12430, College of Veterinary Medicine, Harbin, Harbin, China;
| | - Wen-Hui Yu
- Northeast Agricultural University, 12430, College of Veterinary Medicine, Harbin, Harbin, China;
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21
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Wang Q, Chen FY, Ling ZM, Su WF, Zhao YY, Chen G, Wei ZY. The Effect of Schwann Cells/Schwann Cell-Like Cells on Cell Therapy for Peripheral Neuropathy. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:836931. [PMID: 35350167 PMCID: PMC8957843 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.836931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Peripheral neuropathy is a common neurological issue that leads to sensory and motor disorders. Over time, the treatment for peripheral neuropathy has primarily focused on medications for specific symptoms and surgical techniques. Despite the different advantages of these treatments, functional recovery remains less than ideal. Schwann cells, as the primary glial cells in the peripheral nervous system, play crucial roles in physiological and pathological conditions by maintaining nerve structure and functions and secreting various signaling molecules and neurotrophic factors to support both axonal growth and myelination. In addition, stem cells, including mesenchymal stromal cells, skin precursor cells and neural stem cells, have the potential to differentiate into Schwann-like cells to perform similar functions as Schwann cells. Therefore, accumulating evidence indicates that Schwann cell transplantation plays a crucial role in the resolution of peripheral neuropathy. In this review, we summarize the literature regarding the use of Schwann cell/Schwann cell-like cell transplantation for different peripheral neuropathies and the potential role of promoting nerve repair and functional recovery. Finally, we discuss the limitations and challenges of Schwann cell/Schwann cell-like cell transplantation in future clinical applications. Together, these studies provide insights into the effect of Schwann cells/Schwann cell-like cells on cell therapy and uncover prospective therapeutic strategies for peripheral neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Fang-Yu Chen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Zhuo-Min Ling
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Wen-Feng Su
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Ya-Yu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
- *Correspondence: Gang Chen,
| | - Zhong-Ya Wei
- Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration of Jiangsu and Ministry of Education, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- Zhong-Ya Wei,
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22
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Endo T, Kadoya K, Suzuki T, Suzuki Y, Terkawi MA, Kawamura D, Iwasaki N. Mature but not developing Schwann cells promote axon regeneration after peripheral nerve injury. NPJ Regen Med 2022; 7:12. [PMID: 35091563 PMCID: PMC8799715 DOI: 10.1038/s41536-022-00205-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since Schwann cells (SCs) support axonal growth at development as well as after peripheral nerve injury (PNI), developing SCs might be able to promote axon regeneration after PNI. The purpose of the current study was to elucidate the capability of developing SCs to induce axon regeneration after PNI. SC precursors (SCPs), immature SCs (ISCs), repair SCs (RSCs) from injured nerves, and non-RSCs from intact nerves were tested by grafting into acellular region of rat sciatic nerve with crush injury. Both of developing SCs completely failed to support axon regeneration, whereas both of mature SCs, especially RSCs, induced axon regeneration. Further, RSCs but not SCPs promoted neurite outgrowth of adult dorsal root ganglion neurons. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the gene expression profiles were distinctly different between RSCs and SCPs. These findings indicate that developing SCs are markedly different from mature SCs in terms of functional and molecular aspects and that RSC is a viable candidate for regenerative cell therapy for PNI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Endo
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15 Nishi-7, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Ken Kadoya
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15 Nishi-7, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Tomoaki Suzuki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15 Nishi-7, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Yuki Suzuki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15 Nishi-7, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Mohamad Alaa Terkawi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15 Nishi-7, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kawamura
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15 Nishi-7, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Norimasa Iwasaki
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine and Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita-15 Nishi-7, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 060-8638, Japan
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23
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Negro S, Pirazzini M, Rigoni M. Models and methods to study Schwann cells. J Anat 2022; 241:1235-1258. [PMID: 34988978 PMCID: PMC9558160 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwann cells (SCs) are fundamental components of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) of all vertebrates and play essential roles in development, maintenance, function, and regeneration of peripheral nerves. There are distinct populations of SCs including: (1) myelinating SCs that ensheath axons by a specialized plasma membrane, called myelin, which enhances the conduction of electric impulses; (2) non‐myelinating SCs, including Remak SCs, which wrap bundles of multiple axons of small caliber, and perysinaptic SCs (PSCs), associated with motor axon terminals at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). All types of SCs contribute to PNS regeneration through striking morphological and functional changes in response to nerve injury, are affected in peripheral neuropathies and show abnormalities and a diminished plasticity during aging. Therefore, methodological approaches to study and manipulate SCs in physiological and pathophysiological conditions are crucial to expand the present knowledge on SC biology and to devise new therapeutic strategies to counteract neurodegenerative conditions and age‐derived denervation. We present here an updated overview of traditional and emerging methodologies for the study of SCs for scientists approaching this research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Negro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Marco Pirazzini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,CIR-Myo, Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca di Miologia, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Michela Rigoni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,CIR-Myo, Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca di Miologia, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
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24
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Huang T, Hou Y, Wang X, Wang L, Yi C, Wang C, Sun X, Tam PKH, Ngai SM, Sham MH, Burns AJ, Chan WY. Direct Interaction of Sox10 With Cadherin-19 Mediates Early Sacral Neural Crest Cell Migration: Implications for Enteric Nervous System Development Defects. Gastroenterology 2022; 162:179-192.e11. [PMID: 34425092 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2021.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The enteric nervous system, which regulates many gastrointestinal functions, is derived from neural crest cells (NCCs). Defective NCC migration during embryonic development may lead to enteric neuropathies such as Hirschsprung's disease (hindgut aganglionosis). Sox10 is known to be essential for cell migration but downstream molecular events regulating early NCC migration have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to determine how Sox10 regulates migration of sacral NCCs toward the hindgut using Dominant megacolon mice, an animal model of Hirschsprung's disease with a Sox10 mutation. METHODS We used the following: time-lapse live cell imaging to determine the migration defects of mutant sacral NCCs; genome-wide microarrays, site-directed mutagenesis, and whole embryo culture to identify Sox10 targets; and liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry to ascertain downstream effectors of Sox10. RESULTS Sacral NCCs exhibited retarded migration to the distal hindgut in Sox10-null embryos with simultaneous down-regulated expression of cadherin-19 (Cdh19). Sox10 was found to bind directly to the Cdh19 promoter. Cdh19 knockdown resulted in retarded sacral NCC migration in vitro and ex vivo, whereas re-expression of Cdh19 partially rescued the retarded migration of mutant sacral NCCs in vitro. Cdh19 formed cadherin-catenin complexes, which then bound to filamentous actin of the cytoskeleton during cell migration. CONCLUSIONS Cdh19 is a direct target of Sox10 during early sacral NCC migration toward the hindgut and forms cadherin-catenin complexes which interact with the cytoskeleton in migrating cells. Elucidation of this novel molecular pathway helps to provide insights into the pathogenesis of enteric nervous system developmental defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taida Huang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yonghui Hou
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xia Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Department of Anatomy, Histology & Developmental Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shenzhen University Health Science Center, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chenju Yi
- Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Cuifang Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; College of Oceanology and Food Sciences, Quanzhou Normal University, Quanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyun Sun
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Paul K H Tam
- Department of Surgery, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Dr. Li Dak Sum Research Centre, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Sai Ming Ngai
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mai Har Sham
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Alan J Burns
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom; Gastrointestinal Drug Discovery Unit, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
| | - Wood Yee Chan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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25
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Parker BJ, Rhodes DI, O'Brien CM, Rodda AE, Cameron NR. Nerve guidance conduit development for primary treatment of peripheral nerve transection injuries: A commercial perspective. Acta Biomater 2021; 135:64-86. [PMID: 34492374 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Commercial nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) for repair of peripheral nerve discontinuities are of little use in gaps larger than 30 mm, and for smaller gaps they often fail to compete with the autografts that they are designed to replace. While recent research to develop new technologies for use in NGCs has produced many advanced designs with seemingly positive functional outcomes in animal models, these advances have not been translated into viable clinical products. While there have been many detailed reviews of the technologies available for creating NGCs, none of these have focussed on the requirements of the commercialisation process which are vital to ensure the translation of a technology from bench to clinic. Consideration of the factors essential for commercial viability, including regulatory clearance, reimbursement processes, manufacturability and scale up, and quality management early in the design process is vital in giving new technologies the best chance at achieving real-world impact. Here we have attempted to summarise the major components to consider during the development of emerging NGC technologies as a guide for those looking to develop new technology in this domain. We also examine a selection of the latest academic developments from the viewpoint of clinical translation, and discuss areas where we believe further work would be most likely to bring new NGC technologies to the clinic. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: NGCs for peripheral nerve repairs represent an adaptable foundation with potential to incorporate modifications to improve nerve regeneration outcomes. In this review we outline the regulatory processes that functionally distinct NGCs may need to address and explore new modifications and the complications that may need to be addressed during the translation process from bench to clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradyn J Parker
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia
| | - David I Rhodes
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; ReNerve Pty. Ltd., Brunswick East 3057, Australia
| | - Carmel M O'Brien
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Manufacturing, Research Way, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Science, Technology, Research and innovation Precinct (STRIP), Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Andrew E Rodda
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Neil R Cameron
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, 22 Alliance Lane, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia; School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom.
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26
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Arthur-Farraj P, Coleman MP. Lessons from Injury: How Nerve Injury Studies Reveal Basic Biological Mechanisms and Therapeutic Opportunities for Peripheral Nerve Diseases. Neurotherapeutics 2021; 18:2200-2221. [PMID: 34595734 PMCID: PMC8804151 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01125-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Since Waller and Cajal in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, laboratory traumatic peripheral nerve injury studies have provided great insight into cellular and molecular mechanisms governing axon degeneration and the responses of Schwann cells, the major glial cell type of peripheral nerves. It is now evident that pathways underlying injury-induced axon degeneration and the Schwann cell injury-specific state, the repair Schwann cell, are relevant to many inherited and acquired disorders of peripheral nerves. This review provides a timely update on the molecular understanding of axon degeneration and formation of the repair Schwann cell. We discuss how nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2 (NMNAT2) and sterile alpha TIR motif containing protein 1 (SARM1) are required for axon survival and degeneration, respectively, how transcription factor c-JUN is essential for the Schwann cell response to nerve injury and what each tells us about disease mechanisms and potential therapies. Human genetic association with NMNAT2 and SARM1 strongly suggests aberrant activation of programmed axon death in polyneuropathies and motor neuron disorders, respectively, and animal studies suggest wider involvement including in chemotherapy-induced and diabetic neuropathies. In repair Schwann cells, cJUN is aberrantly expressed in a wide variety of human acquired and inherited neuropathies. Animal models suggest it limits axon loss in both genetic and traumatic neuropathies, whereas in contrast, Schwann cell secreted Neuregulin-1 type 1 drives onion bulb pathology in CMT1A. Finally, we discuss opportunities for drug-based and gene therapies to prevent axon loss or manipulate the repair Schwann cell state to treat acquired and inherited neuropathies and neuronopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Arthur-Farraj
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK.
| | - Michael P Coleman
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, John Van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK.
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27
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Monje PV, Deng L, Xu XM. Human Schwann Cell Transplantation for Spinal Cord Injury: Prospects and Challenges in Translational Medicine. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:690894. [PMID: 34220455 PMCID: PMC8249939 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.690894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The benefits of transplanting cultured Schwann cells (SCs) for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) have been systematically investigated in experimental animals since the early 1990s. Importantly, human SC (hSC) transplantation for SCI has advanced to clinical testing and safety has been established via clinical trials conducted in the USA and abroad. However, multiple barriers must be overcome to enable accessible and effective treatments for SCI patients. This review presents available information on hSC transplantation for SCI with the intention to uncover gaps in our knowledge and discuss areas for future development. To this end, we introduce the historical progression of the work that supports existing and prospective clinical initiatives and explain the reasons for the choice of hSCs while also addressing their limitations as cell therapy products. A search of the relevant literature revealed that rat SCs have served as a preclinical model of reference since the onset of investigations, and that hSC transplants are relatively understudied, possibly due to the sophisticated resources and expertise needed for the traditional processing of hSC cultures from human nerves. In turn, we reason that additional experimentation and a reexamination of the available data are needed to understand the therapeutic value of hSC transplants taking into consideration that the manufacturing of the hSCs themselves may require further development for extended uses in basic research and clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula V. Monje
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Lingxiao Deng
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Group, Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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28
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Schwann-like cell conditioned medium promotes angiogenesis and nerve regeneration. Cell Tissue Bank 2021; 23:101-118. [PMID: 33837877 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-021-09920-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Vascular network reconstruction plays a pivotal role in the axonal regeneration and nerve function recovery after peripheral nerve injury. Increasing evidence indicates that Schwann cells (SCs) can promote nerve function repair, and the beneficial effects attributed to SCs therapy may exert their therapeutic effects through paracrine mechanisms. Recently, the previous research of our group demonstrated the promising neuroregenerative capacity of Schwann-like cells (SCLCs) derived from differentiated human embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem cells (hESC-NSCs) in vitro. Herein, the effects of SC-like cell conditioned medium (SCLC-CM) on angiogenesis and nerve regeneration were further explored. The assays were performed to show the pro-angiogenic effects of SCLC-CM, such as promoted endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation in vitro. In addition, Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with SCLC-CM after sciatic nerve crush injury, SCLC-CM was conducive for the recovery of sciatic nerve function, which was mainly manifested in the SFI increase, the wet weight ratio of gastrocnemius muscle, as well as the number and thickness of myelin. The SCLC-CM treatment reduced the Evans blue leakage and increased the expression of CD34 microvessels. Furthermore, SCLC-CM upregulated the expressions of p-Akt and p-mTOR in endothelial cells. In conclusion, SCLC-CM promotes angiogenesis and nerve regeneration, it is expected to become a new treatment strategy for peripheral nerve injury.
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29
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Peng K, Sant D, Andersen N, Silvera R, Camarena V, Piñero G, Graham R, Khan A, Xu XM, Wang G, Monje PV. Magnetic separation of peripheral nerve-resident cells underscores key molecular features of human Schwann cells and fibroblasts: an immunochemical and transcriptomics approach. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18433. [PMID: 33116158 PMCID: PMC7595160 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74128-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Nerve-derived human Schwann cell (SC) cultures are irreplaceable models for basic and translational research but their use can be limited due to the risk of fibroblast overgrowth. Fibroblasts are an ill-defined population consisting of highly proliferative cells that, contrary to human SCs, do not undergo senescence in culture. We initiated this study by performing an exhaustive immunological and functional characterization of adult nerve-derived human SCs and fibroblasts to reveal their properties and optimize a protocol of magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) to separate them effectively both as viable and biologically competent cells. We next used immunofluorescence microscopy imaging, flow cytometry analysis and next generation RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to unambiguously characterize the post-MACS cell products. High resolution transcriptome profiling revealed the identity of key lineage-specific transcripts and the clearly distinct neural crest and mesenchymal origin of human SCs and fibroblasts, respectively. Our analysis underscored a progenitor- or stem cell-like molecular phenotype in SCs and fibroblasts and the heterogeneity of the fibroblast populations. In addition, pathway analysis of RNA-seq data highlighted putative bidirectional networks of fibroblast-to-SC signaling that predict a complementary, yet seemingly independent contribution of SCs and fibroblasts to nerve regeneration. In sum, combining MACS with immunochemical and transcriptomics approaches provides an ideal workflow to exhaustively assess the identity, the stage of differentiation and functional features of highly purified cells from human peripheral nerve tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiwen Peng
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute and Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Division of Spine Surgery, Department of Orthopedics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - David Sant
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Natalia Andersen
- The Miami Project To Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca (CONICET), Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Risset Silvera
- The Miami Project To Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Vladimir Camarena
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Gonzalo Piñero
- The Miami Project To Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Facultad de Farmacia Y Bioquímica, Departamento de Química Biológica, and CONICET, Instituto de Química Y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Regina Graham
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Aisha Khan
- The Miami Project To Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
- Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Xiao-Ming Xu
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute and Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Gaofeng Wang
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Paula V Monje
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute and Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
- The Miami Project To Cure Paralysis, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
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30
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Hopf A, Schaefer DJ, Kalbermatten DF, Guzman R, Madduri S. Schwann Cell-Like Cells: Origin and Usability for Repair and Regeneration of the Peripheral and Central Nervous System. Cells 2020; 9:E1990. [PMID: 32872454 PMCID: PMC7565191 DOI: 10.3390/cells9091990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Functional recovery after neurotmesis, a complete transection of the nerve fiber, is often poor and requires a surgical procedure. Especially for longer gaps (>3 mm), end-to-end suturing of the proximal to the distal part is not possible, thus requiring nerve graft implantation. Artificial nerve grafts, i.e., hollow fibers, hydrogels, chitosan, collagen conduits, and decellularized scaffolds hold promise provided that these structures are populated with Schwann cells (SC) that are widely accepted to promote peripheral and spinal cord regeneration. However, these cells must be collected from the healthy peripheral nerves, resulting in significant time delay for treatment and undesired morbidities for the donors. Therefore, there is a clear need to explore the viable source of cells with a regenerative potential similar to SC. For this, we analyzed the literature for the generation of Schwann cell-like cells (SCLC) from stem cells of different origins (i.e., mesenchymal stem cells, pluripotent stem cells, and genetically programmed somatic cells) and compared their biological performance to promote axonal regeneration. Thus, the present review accounts for current developments in the field of SCLC differentiation, their applications in peripheral and central nervous system injury, and provides insights for future strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alois Hopf
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Gewerbestrasse 14, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (A.H.); (D.F.K.)
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (D.J.S.); (R.G.)
| | - Dirk J. Schaefer
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (D.J.S.); (R.G.)
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Daniel F. Kalbermatten
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Gewerbestrasse 14, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (A.H.); (D.F.K.)
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Raphael Guzman
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (D.J.S.); (R.G.)
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Srinivas Madduri
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Basel, Gewerbestrasse 14, 4123 Allschwil, Switzerland; (A.H.); (D.F.K.)
- Department of Biomedicine, University Hospital Basel, Hebelstrasse 20, 4031 Basel, Switzerland; (D.J.S.); (R.G.)
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Basel, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 21, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
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Schwann Cell Cultures: Biology, Technology and Therapeutics. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081848. [PMID: 32781699 PMCID: PMC7465416 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwann cell (SC) cultures from experimental animals and human donors can be prepared using nearly any type of nerve at any stage of maturation to render stage- and patient-specific populations. Methods to isolate, purify, expand in number, and differentiate SCs from adult, postnatal and embryonic sources are efficient and reproducible as these have resulted from accumulated refinements introduced over many decades of work. Albeit some exceptions, SCs can be passaged extensively while maintaining their normal proliferation and differentiation controls. Due to their lineage commitment and strong resistance to tumorigenic transformation, SCs are safe for use in therapeutic approaches in the peripheral and central nervous systems. This review summarizes the evolution of work that led to the robust technologies used today in SC culturing along with the main features of the primary and expanded SCs that make them irreplaceable models to understand SC biology in health and disease. Traditional and emerging approaches in SC culture are discussed in light of their prospective applications. Lastly, some basic assumptions in vitro SC models are identified in an attempt to uncover the combined value of old and new trends in culture protocols and the cellular products that are derived.
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Weiss T, Semmler L, Millesi F, Mann A, Haertinger M, Salzmann M, Radtke C. Automated image analysis of stained cytospins to quantify Schwann cell purity and proliferation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233647. [PMID: 32442229 PMCID: PMC7244157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In response to injury, adult Schwann cells (SCs) re-enter the cell cycle, change their expression profile, and exert repair functions important for wound healing and the re-growth of axons. While this phenotypical instability of SCs is essential for nerve regeneration, it has also been implicated in cancer progression and de-myelinating neuropathies. Thus, SCs became an important research tool to study the molecular mechanisms involved in repair and disease and to identify targets for therapeutic intervention. A high purity of isolated SC cultures used for experimentation must be demonstrated to exclude that novel findings are derived from a contaminating fibroblasts population. In addition, information about the SC proliferation status is an important parameter to be determined in response to different treatments. The evaluation of SC purity and proliferation, however, usually depends on the time consuming, manual assessment of immunofluorescence stainings or comes with the sacrifice of a large amount of SCs for flow cytometry analysis. We here show that rat SC culture derived cytospins stained for SC marker SOX10, proliferation marker EdU, intermediate filament vimentin and DAPI allowed the determination of SC identity and proliferation by requiring only a small number of cells. Furthermore, the CellProfiler software was used to develop an automated image analysis pipeline that quantified SCs and proliferating SCs from the obtained immunofluorescence images. By comparing the results of total cell count, SC purity and SC proliferation rate between manual counting and the CellProfiler output, we demonstrated applicability and reliability of the established pipeline. In conclusion, we here combined the cytospin technique, a multi-colour immunofluorescence staining panel, and an automated image analysis pipeline to enable the quantification of SC purity and SC proliferation from small cell aliquots. This procedure represents a solid read-out to simplify and standardize the quantification of primary SC culture purity and proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Weiss
- Research Laboratory of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | - Lorenz Semmler
- Research Laboratory of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Flavia Millesi
- Research Laboratory of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Anda Mann
- Research Laboratory of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maximilian Haertinger
- Research Laboratory of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manuel Salzmann
- Institute of Vascular Biology and Thrombosis Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christine Radtke
- Research Laboratory of the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Huang R, Meng T, Zhu R, Zhao L, Song D, Yin H, Huang Z, Cheng L, Zhang J. The Integrated Transcriptome Bioinformatics Analysis Identifies Key Genes and Cellular Components for Spinal Cord Injury-Related Neuropathic Pain. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:101. [PMID: 32140464 PMCID: PMC7042182 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most devastating diseases with a high incidence rate around the world. SCI-related neuropathic pain (NeP) is a common complication, whereas its pathomechanism is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to identify key genes and cellular components for SCI-related NeP by an integrated transcriptome bioinformatics analysis. METHODS The gene expression profile of 25 peripheral blood samples from chronic phase SCI patients (E-GEOD-69901) and 337 normal peripheral blood samples were downloaded from ArrayExpress and Genotype-Tissue Expression Portal (GTEx), respectively. A total of 3,368 normal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were download from Sequence Read Archive (SRA713577). Non-parametric tests were used to evaluate the association between all of differential expression genes (DEGs) and SCI-related NeP. CellPhoneDB algorithm was performed to identify the ligand-receptor interactions and their cellular localization among single PBMCs. Transcription factor (TF) enrichment analysis and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) were used to identify the potential upstream regulatory TFs and downstream signaling pathways, respectively. Co-expression analysis among significantly enriched TFs, key cellular communication genes and differentially expressed signaling pathways were performed to identify key genes and cellular components for SCI-related NeP. RESULTS A total of 2,314 genes were identified as DEGs between the experimental and the control group. Five proteins (ADRB2, LGALS9, PECAM1, HAVCR2, LRP1) were identified in the overlap of proteins in the significant ligand-receptor interactions of PBMCs and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network based on the DEGs. Only HAVCR2 was significantly associated with NeP (P = 0.005). Besides, the co-expression analysis revealed that TF YY1 had significantly co-expression pattern with cellular communication receptor HAVCR2 (R = -0.54, P < 0.001) in NK cells while HAVCR2 was also co-expressed with mTOR signaling pathway (R = 0.57, P < 0.001). The results of RT-qPCR and external dataset validation supported the signaling axis with the most significant co-expression patterns. CONCLUSION In peripheral blood of chronic SCI, HAVCR2 might act as a key receptor on the surface of NK cells and interact with ligand LGALS9 secreted by CD14+ monocytes, inhibiting NK cells through mTOR signaling pathway and ultimately predicting the occurrence of SCI-related NeP. This hypothetical signaling axis may provide prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SCI-related NeP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runzhi Huang
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Meng
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Rui Zhu
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lijuan Zhao
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dianwen Song
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Huabin Yin
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zongqiang Huang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Liming Cheng
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Division of Spine, Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Spine and Spinal Cord Injury Repair and Regeneration of Ministry of Education, Orthopaedic Department of Tongji Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Prevention, Tongji University School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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34
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Monje PV. The properties of human Schwann cells: Lessons from in vitro culture and transplantation studies. Glia 2020; 68:797-810. [PMID: 32027424 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Human Schwann cells (hSCs) can be isolated directly from peripheral nerve and cultured using methods similar to those used for SCs from other species. Yet, important interspecies differences are revealed when the primary or expanded hSCs are compared to their nonhuman counterparts. This review addresses the special properties of nerve-derived hSCs that have resulted to date from both in vitro studies and in vivo research on cell transplantation in animal models and human subjects. A consensus has yet to emerge about the essential attributes of cultured normal hSCs. Thus, an emphasis is placed on the importance of validating hSC cultures by means of purity, identity, and biological activity to reliably use them as in vitro models of the SC phenotype and cell therapy products for injury repair. Combining traditional immunological methods, high-resolution omics approaches, and assorted cell-based assays is so far the best approach to unequivocally identify hSC populations obtained by direct isolation or derivation from stem cells. Special considerations are required to understand and manage the variability and heterogeneity proper of donor batches, as well as to evaluate risk factors. This is particularly important if the intended use of the hSCs is implantation in the human body, diagnosis of disease, or drug testing aimed at targeting any aspect of SC function in human patients. To conclude, in view of their unique properties, new concepts and methods are needed to better understand the biology of hSCs and exploit their full potential in basic science and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula V Monje
- The Department of Neurological Surgery, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana
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35
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Abstract
Schwann cells as glial cells in the peripheral nervous system can participate in neurons protection and forming myelin. Additionally, they are important for nerve pulse conduction supporting along axons. On the other hand, it was demonstrated that they are promising cells for the treatment of demyelinating disorders and also central nervous system damages. Herein, for therapeutic application, Schwann cells should be manufactured based on good manufacturing practice standards to achieve safe and effective clinical products. In this respect, the current chapter tries to introduce a standard protocol for manufacturing of human GMP-compliant Schwann cells for clinical application.
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36
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Stratton JA, Holmes A, Rosin NL, Sinha S, Vohra M, Burma NE, Trang T, Midha R, Biernaskie J. Macrophages Regulate Schwann Cell Maturation after Nerve Injury. Cell Rep 2019; 24:2561-2572.e6. [PMID: 30184491 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2018.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2017] [Revised: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 07/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pro-regenerative macrophages are well known for their role in promoting tissue repair; however, their specific roles in promoting regeneration of the injured nerve are not well defined. Specifically, how macrophages interact with Schwann cells following injury during remyelination has been largely unexplored. We demonstrate that after injury, including in humans, macrophages function to clear debris and persist within the nerve microenvironment. Macrophage ablation immediately preceding remyelination results in an increase in immature Schwann cell density, a reduction in remyelination, and long-term deficits in conduction velocity. Targeted RNA-seq of macrophages from injured nerve identified Gas6 as one of several candidate factors involved in regulating Schwann cell dynamics. Functional studies show that the absence of Gas6 within monocyte lineage cells impairs Schwann cell remyelination within the injured nerve. These results demonstrate a role for macrophages in regulating Schwann cell function during nerve regeneration and highlight a molecular mechanism by which this occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jo Anne Stratton
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Alexandra Holmes
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Nicole L Rosin
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Sarthak Sinha
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Mohit Vohra
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Nicole E Burma
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Tuan Trang
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Rajiv Midha
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
| | - Jeff Biernaskie
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada.
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Nazareth L, Chen M, Shelper T, Shah M, Tello Velasquez J, Walkden H, Beacham I, Batzloff M, Rayfield A, Todorovic M, Beagley KW, St John JA, Ekberg JAK. Novel insights into the glia limitans of the olfactory nervous system. J Comp Neurol 2019; 527:1228-1244. [PMID: 30592044 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) are often described as being present in both the peripheral and the central nervous systems (PNS and CNS). Furthermore, the olfactory nervous system glia limitans (the glial layer defining the PNS-CNS border) is considered unique as it consists of intermingling OECs and astrocytes. In contrast, the glia limitans of the rest of the nervous system consists solely of astrocytes which create a distinct barrier to Schwann cells (peripheral glia). The ability of OECs to interact with astrocytes is one reason why OECs are believed to be superior to Schwann cells for transplantation therapies to treat CNS injuries. We have used transgenic reporter mice in which glial cells express DsRed fluorescent protein to study the cellular constituents of the glia limitans. We found that the glia limitans layer of the olfactory nervous system is morphologically similar to elsewhere in the nervous system, with a similar low degree of intermingling between peripheral glia and astrocytes. We found that the astrocytic layer of the olfactory bulb is a distinct barrier to bacterial infection, suggesting that this layer constitutes the PNS-CNS immunological barrier. We also found that OECs interact with astrocytes in a similar fashion as Schwann cells in vitro. When cultured in three dimensions, however, there were subtle differences between OECs and Schwann cells in their interactions with astrocytes. We therefore suggest that glial fibrillary acidic protein-reactive astrocyte layer of the olfactory bulb constitutes the glia limitans of the olfactory nervous system and that OECs are primarily "PNS glia."
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn Nazareth
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.,Menzies Institute of Health Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mo Chen
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.,Menzies Institute of Health Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Todd Shelper
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.,Menzies Institute of Health Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Megha Shah
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.,Menzies Institute of Health Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Johana Tello Velasquez
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.,Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Heidi Walkden
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.,Menzies Institute of Health Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Ifor Beacham
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael Batzloff
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Andrew Rayfield
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.,Menzies Institute of Health Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael Todorovic
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.,Menzies Institute of Health Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia.,School of Nursing and Midwifery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia
| | - Kenneth W Beagley
- Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - James A St John
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.,Menzies Institute of Health Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia.,Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jenny A K Ekberg
- Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, Australia.,Menzies Institute of Health Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, Queensland, Australia
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Comparative effect of photobiomodulation associated with dexamethasone after sciatic nerve injury model. Lasers Med Sci 2018; 33:1341-1349. [DOI: 10.1007/s10103-018-2494-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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39
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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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