Bone marrow stromal cells differentiated into functional Schwann cells in injured rats sciatic nerve.

Bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) have been shown to differentiate into various lineage cells including neural cells in vitro and in vivo. We therefore examined whether MSCs can differentiate into Schwann cells in injured peripheral nerves, After cultured in vitro, PKH-67-labeled MSCs were injected into the mechanically injured rat sciatic nerves. Three weeks after injection, immunofluorescent examinations were carried out. MSCs had been incorporated around the injured nerves and differentiated into Schwann cells. MSCs had accumulated mainly in the epineurium around the injured nerve. The incorporated cells partially expressed GFAP, S-100, and P75. These results confirmed the possibility that MSCs have the ability to differentiate into Schwann cells, and that injection of MSCs into the injured peripheral nerve would help repair damaged nerve.