Human Schwann Cells (HSwC)

Product Description

Schwann cells are neural crest derivatives that ensheathe and myelinate axons of peripheral nerves [1]. Each Schwann cell wraps around the shaft of an individual peripheral axon, forming myelin sheaths along segments of the axon. Schwann cells play important roles in the development, function, and regeneration of peripheral nerves. When an axon is dying, the Schwann cells surrounding it aid in its digestion, leaving an empty channel formed by successive Schwann cells, through which a new axon may then grow from a severed end. The number of Schwann cells in peripheral nerves is tightly regulated [2]. Their proliferation in vitro can be stimulated by various growth factors including PDGF, FGF, neuregulin, and others [3]. Schwann cells provide a relatively simple, well-defined, and accessible mammalian model for the study of a number of developmental questions. It is also of particular clinical importance to understand the biology of Schwann cells, not only in the context of neuropathies and nerve regeneration, but also because the cells or their precursors may be especially well suited for implants to facilitate repair in the CNS.

iXCells Biotechnologies provides high quality Human Schwann Cells (HSwC), which are isolated from human spinal nerve and cryopreserved at P1, with >0.5 million cells in each vial. HSwC express vimentin, S-100, GFAP and CD90. These HSwC are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast, and fung and can further expand in Schwann Cell Growth Medium (Cat# MD-0055) under the condition suggested by iXCells Biotechnologies. 

Figure 1. (A) Phase contrast image of Human Schwann Cells (HSwC). (B) Immunofluorescence staining of Human Schwann Cells with S100 antibody. 

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References

[1] Jessen, K. R. and Mirsky, R. (1999) Schwann cells and their precursors emerge as major regulators of nerve development. Trends Neurosci. 22:402-410. 
[2] Syroid, D. E., Maycox, P. R., Burrola, P. G., Liu, N., Wen, D., Lee, K. F., Lemke, G., Kilpatrick, T. J. (1996) Cell death in the Schwann cell lineage and its regulation by neuregulin. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:9229-9234. 
[3] Rahmatullah, M., Schroering, A., Rothblum, K., Stahl, R. C., Urban, B and Carey, D. J. (1998) Synergistic regulation of Schwann cells proliferation by heregulin and forskolin. Mol. Cell. Biol. 18:6245-6252.

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