A simple and efficient method that uses low concentration fetal bovine serum to culture and purify Schwann cells

To develop a simple and efficient method for the isolation of highly purified Schwann cells (SCs) from the sciatic nerves of newborn rats, cells were initially cultured in 10% FBS for 6 days, and then cultured in 2% FBS for 6 days. And we used the immunocytochemical characterization, flow cytometry, RT-PCR, to observe the condition of SCs. After the 12-day treatment protocol, we obtained a high yield of SCs with an average purity of 96.9%. Furthermore, the condition of SCs had no change. In our purification protocol, we had shown that our procedures did not alter the cell cycle and neurokines’ secretion. Our simple and efficient method yielded pure and healthy SCs and did not require treatment with antimitotic agents or any special equipment.