EFFECTS OF SCHWANN CELLS ON SURVIVAL AND DIFFERENTIATION OF NEURAL STEM CELLS TRANSPLANTED INTO INJURED SPINAL CORD

Objective To explore whether Schwann cells could promote the survival and differentiation of neural stem cells as they transplanted into injured spinal cord. Methods Neural stem cells were dissociated and cloned from the hippocampus of newborn rats.Schwann cells were also dissociated and purified simultaneously from the sciatic nerves and brachial plexus nerves of newborn rats.Before grafted,neural stem cells were prelabeled by nuclear fluorescent(Hoechst33342).In the experimental group,neural stem cells and Schwann cells were transplanted into the hemisection site of spinal cord of rats.However,only neural stem cells were transplanted in the control group.At 7d,14d,21d and 30d respectively after operated,we observed the survival and differentiation of neural stem cells transplanted into injured spinal cord with immunohistochemistry and enzymehistochemistry. Results In experimental groups neural stem cells migrated longer than those in control groups.The numbers of differentiated NF-positive neuron-like cells in experimental groups were more than those in control groups.We observed that some NF-positive cells grew longer processes.In the 30d groups,some of neural stem cells expressed AchE activity at the lesion site of spinal cord in the experimental group;a few of neural stem cells expressed AchE activity in the lesion site in the control group.Conclusion Schwann cells can promote the survival,migration and differentiation of transplanted neural stem cells.Differentiated neuron-like cells have longer processes and expressed AchE activity.