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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Neuron-Macrophage Co-cultures to Activate Macrophages Secreting Molecular Factors with Neurite Outgrowth Activity
Published on: March 30, 2018
Trophic activity derived from bone marrow mononuclear cells increases peripheral nerve regeneration by acting on both
V T Ribeiro-Resende1, P M Pimentel-Coelho, L A Mesentier-Louro
1Programa de Bioengenharia e Terapia Celular, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bl. G, Cidade Universitária, 21949-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. vtulio@biof.ufrj.br
Abstract:
A rat model of complete sciatic nerve transection was used to evaluate the effect of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) transplanted to the injury site immediately after lesion. Rats treated with BMMC had both sensory and motor axons reaching the distal stump earlier compared to untreated animals. In addition, BMMC transplantation reduced cell death in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) compared to control animals. Transplanted BMMC remained in the lesion site for several days but there is no evidence of BMMC differentiation into Schwann cells. However, an increase in the number of Schwann cells, satellite cells and astrocytes was observed in the treated group. Moreover, neutralizing antibodies for nerve growth factor (NGF) (but not for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and ciliary-derived neurotrophic factor) added to the BMMC-conditioned medium reduced neurite growth of sensory and sympathetic neurons in vitro, suggesting that BMMC release NGF, improve regeneration of the sciatic nerve in the adult rat and stimulate Schwann and satellite cell proliferation or a combination of both.
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