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Current state of the development of mesenchymal stem cells into clinically applicable Schwann cell transplants

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Abstract

Schwann cells are critically important in recovery from injuries to the peripheral nervous system, and their absence from the central nervous system (CNS) may be a critical limiting factor in the CNS regeneration capacity. Various types of stem cells have been investigated for their potential to be induced to develop a Schwann cell phenotype, with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) being the most promising among them. The methods for inducing MSCs differentiation into Schwann cell-like cells are presented in detail in this review. The evidence related to successful differentiation of MSCs to Schwann cell-like cells is particularly discussed herein, which includes the changes in morphology, phenotype, function, and proteome. The possible explanations for the differentiation of MSCs to Schwann cell-like cells are also presented. Finally, we suggest future research aims which will need to be fulfilled to elucidate the biology of Schwann cell differentiation and MSC transdifferentiation, to enable clinical application of therapeutic differentiated MSC transplantation into nerve injury sites.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81000011, 81000835), the Distinguished Young Talents in Higher Education of Guangdong (No. LYM091182009), Guangdong Natural Science Foundation (No. 10451018201004913), and Shenzhen Technological R&D Foundation (No. JC201005280429A).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center of Medical Sciences, Guangdong General Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, 96 Dongchuan Road, Guangzhou, 510080, China

    Yu Pan

  2. Department of Physiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Sa Cai

  3. Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Nanhai Ave 3688, Shenzhen, 518060, Guangdong, China

    Sa Cai

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  1. Yu Pan
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  2. Sa Cai
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Correspondence to Sa Cai.

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Pan, Y., Cai, S. Current state of the development of mesenchymal stem cells into clinically applicable Schwann cell transplants. Mol Cell Biochem 368, 127–135 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-012-1351-6

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