Establishment of the activated Schwann cell culture with a serum-free medium in adult rabbits

Objective To establish the activated Schwann cell culture technique with a serum-free medium in adult rabbits. Methods Adult rabbits predegenerated and fresh sciatic nerve were harvested and Schwann cells were obtained. Schwann cells were then incubated with the M serum-free medium. The shape and growth of Schwann cells were observed everyday. The numbers of Schwann cells were counted at various growing point (3,5,7,9,11,13 d), and then the growing curve of Schwann cells was drawn. The Lowry protein and H3-thymine nucleoside were checked to examine the growth of Schwann cells in culture. Results The Schwann cells grew very well in the M serum-free medium. The proliferation of activated Schwann cells, the Lowry protein and H3-thymine nucleoside were several times more than the normal Schwann cells at each growing point. There was statistically significant difference between them. Conclusion The activated Schwann cells can proliferate highly in the M serum-free medium.