Bone marrow- and adipose-derived stem cells show expression of myelin mRNAs and proteins

PNS myelin is formed by Schwann cells (SCs). In this study, we applied an in vitro model to study myelin formation, using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and adipose-derived stem cells differentiated into SC-like cells and co-cultured with dissociated adult dorsal root ganglia neurons.

Immunocytochemistry, reverse transcription-PCR and western blotting techniques were used to investigate the expression of myelin proteins at both the transcriptional and translational level.

Transcripts for protein zero, peripheral myelin protein 22 and myelin basic protein were detected in differentiated stem cells following co-culture with neuronal cells. Furthermore, protein zero, peripheral myelin protein 22 and myelin basic proteins were recognized in the co-cultures. These results were consistent with immunostaining of myelin proteins and with observation by electron microscopy.

Both types of adult stems cells differentiated into SC-like cells have potential to myelinate neuronal cells during regeneration, being functionally identical to SCs of the PNS.