Neural differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells by indirect co-culture with Schwann cells

Abstract

To investigate whether adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) could be subject to neural differentiation induced only by Schwann cell (SC) factors, we co-cultured ADSCs and SCs in transwell culture dishes. Immunoassaying, Western blot analysis, and RT-PCR were performed (1, 3, 7, 14 d) and the co-cultured ADSCs showed gene and protein expression of S-100, Nestin, and GFAP. Further, qRT-PCR disclosed relative quantitative differences in the above three gene expressions. We think ADSCs can undergo induced neural differentiation by being co-cultured with SCs, and such differentia?tions begin 1 day after co-culture, become apparent after 7 days, and thereafter remain stable till the 14th day.