IPSC-Derived Sensory Neurons Directing Fate Commitment of Human BMSC-Derived Schwann Cells: Applications in Traumatic Neural Injuries

This study explores using human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) to create Schwann cells, which are crucial for nerve regeneration after injury. The researchers used sensory neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to guide the development of hBMSCs into specialized Schwann cells (hBMSC-dSCs). These hBMSC-dSCs were then tested in rat models of sciatic nerve and spinal cord injuries to see if they could help repair damaged nerves and improve motor function.

• 1
  hBMSC-dSCs, when transplanted into rats with sciatic nerve injuries, significantly improved gait compared to controls, suggesting nerve regeneration.
• 2
  In rats with spinal cord injuries, hBMSC-dSCs combined with chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) led to significant improvements in hindlimb motor function.
• 3
  Microscopic analysis confirmed that hBMSC-dSCs were capable of myelinating axons (forming a protective sheath around nerve fibers) in both peripheral and central nervous system injury models.