Generation of phenotypically stable and functionally mature human bone marrow MSCs derived Schwann cells via the induction of human iPSCs-derived sensory neurons

Abstract Background Phenotypically unstable Schwann cell-like cells (SCLCs), derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) require intercellular contact-mediated cues for Schwann cell (SCs)-fate commitment. Although rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons provide contact-mediated signals for the convers...

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Main Authors: Yu Pan, Haohui Lin, Manhon Chung, Yi Yang, Li Zhang, Xiaohua Pan, Sa Cai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:Stem Cell Research & Therapy
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04217-5
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author Yu Pan
Haohui Lin
Manhon Chung
Yi Yang
Li Zhang
Xiaohua Pan
Sa Cai
author_facet Yu Pan
Haohui Lin
Manhon Chung
Yi Yang
Li Zhang
Xiaohua Pan
Sa Cai
author_sort Yu Pan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Phenotypically unstable Schwann cell-like cells (SCLCs), derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) require intercellular contact-mediated cues for Schwann cell (SCs)-fate commitment. Although rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons provide contact-mediated signals for the conversion of SCLCs into fate-committed SCs, the use of animal cells is clinically unacceptable. To overcome this problem, we previously acquired human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neurons (hiPSC-dSNs) as surrogates of rat DRG neurons that committed rat bone marrow SCLCs to the SC fate. In this study, we explored whether hiPSC-dSNs could mimic rat DRG neuron effects to obtain fate-committed SCs from hBMSC-derived SCLCs. Methods hiPSCs were induced into hiPSC-dSNs using a specific chemical small molecule combination. hBMSCs were induced into hBMSC-derived SCLCs in a specific culture medium and then co-cultured with hiPSC-dSNs to generate SCs. The identity of hBMSC-derived SCs (hBMSC-dSCs) was examined by immunofluorescence, western bolt, electronic microscopy, and RNA-seq. Immunofluorescence was also used to detect the myelination capacity. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and neurite outgrowth analysis were used to test the secretion of neurotrophic factors. Results The hBMSC-dSCs exhibited bi-/tri-polar morphology of SCs and maintained the expression of the SC markers S100, p75NTR, p0, GFAP, and Sox10, even after withdrawing the glia-inducing factors or hiPSC-dSNs. Electronic microscopy and RNA-seq analysis provided evidence that hBMSC-dSCs were similar to the original human SCs in terms of their function and a variety of characteristics. Furthermore, these cells formed MBP-positive segments and secreted neurotrophic factors to facilitate the neurite outgrowth of Neuro2A. Conclusions These results demonstrated that phenotypically stable and functionally mature hBMSC-dSCs were generated efficiently via the co-culture of hiPSC-dSNs and hBMSC-derived SCLCs. Our findings may provide a promising protocol through which stable and fully developed hBMSC-dSCs can be used for transplantation to regenerate myelin sheath. Graphical abstract
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spelling doaj-art-dea5d2c704064ee09c6df04a8bbb06ca2025-08-20T02:16:54ZengBMCStem Cell Research & Therapy1757-65122025-03-0116111610.1186/s13287-025-04217-5Generation of phenotypically stable and functionally mature human bone marrow MSCs derived Schwann cells via the induction of human iPSCs-derived sensory neuronsYu Pan0Haohui Lin1Manhon Chung2Yi Yang3Li Zhang4Xiaohua Pan5Sa Cai6Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical School, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen UniversityLaboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical School, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen UniversityDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineLaboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical School, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen UniversityLaboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical School, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen UniversityLaboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical School, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen UniversityLaboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Medical School, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen UniversityAbstract Background Phenotypically unstable Schwann cell-like cells (SCLCs), derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) require intercellular contact-mediated cues for Schwann cell (SCs)-fate commitment. Although rat dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons provide contact-mediated signals for the conversion of SCLCs into fate-committed SCs, the use of animal cells is clinically unacceptable. To overcome this problem, we previously acquired human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived sensory neurons (hiPSC-dSNs) as surrogates of rat DRG neurons that committed rat bone marrow SCLCs to the SC fate. In this study, we explored whether hiPSC-dSNs could mimic rat DRG neuron effects to obtain fate-committed SCs from hBMSC-derived SCLCs. Methods hiPSCs were induced into hiPSC-dSNs using a specific chemical small molecule combination. hBMSCs were induced into hBMSC-derived SCLCs in a specific culture medium and then co-cultured with hiPSC-dSNs to generate SCs. The identity of hBMSC-derived SCs (hBMSC-dSCs) was examined by immunofluorescence, western bolt, electronic microscopy, and RNA-seq. Immunofluorescence was also used to detect the myelination capacity. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and neurite outgrowth analysis were used to test the secretion of neurotrophic factors. Results The hBMSC-dSCs exhibited bi-/tri-polar morphology of SCs and maintained the expression of the SC markers S100, p75NTR, p0, GFAP, and Sox10, even after withdrawing the glia-inducing factors or hiPSC-dSNs. Electronic microscopy and RNA-seq analysis provided evidence that hBMSC-dSCs were similar to the original human SCs in terms of their function and a variety of characteristics. Furthermore, these cells formed MBP-positive segments and secreted neurotrophic factors to facilitate the neurite outgrowth of Neuro2A. Conclusions These results demonstrated that phenotypically stable and functionally mature hBMSC-dSCs were generated efficiently via the co-culture of hiPSC-dSNs and hBMSC-derived SCLCs. Our findings may provide a promising protocol through which stable and fully developed hBMSC-dSCs can be used for transplantation to regenerate myelin sheath. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04217-5Human induced pluripotent stem cellsHuman bone marrow mesenchymal stem cellsSensory neuronsFate commitmentSchwann cellsMyelination
spellingShingle Yu Pan
Haohui Lin
Manhon Chung
Yi Yang
Li Zhang
Xiaohua Pan
Sa Cai
Generation of phenotypically stable and functionally mature human bone marrow MSCs derived Schwann cells via the induction of human iPSCs-derived sensory neurons
Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Human induced pluripotent stem cells
Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Sensory neurons
Fate commitment
Schwann cells
Myelination
title Generation of phenotypically stable and functionally mature human bone marrow MSCs derived Schwann cells via the induction of human iPSCs-derived sensory neurons
title_full Generation of phenotypically stable and functionally mature human bone marrow MSCs derived Schwann cells via the induction of human iPSCs-derived sensory neurons
title_fullStr Generation of phenotypically stable and functionally mature human bone marrow MSCs derived Schwann cells via the induction of human iPSCs-derived sensory neurons
title_full_unstemmed Generation of phenotypically stable and functionally mature human bone marrow MSCs derived Schwann cells via the induction of human iPSCs-derived sensory neurons
title_short Generation of phenotypically stable and functionally mature human bone marrow MSCs derived Schwann cells via the induction of human iPSCs-derived sensory neurons
title_sort generation of phenotypically stable and functionally mature human bone marrow mscs derived schwann cells via the induction of human ipscs derived sensory neurons
topic Human induced pluripotent stem cells
Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells
Sensory neurons
Fate commitment
Schwann cells
Myelination
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04217-5
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