The Effects of Adipose Derived Stem Cells on Neurogenic Differentiation and Induction of Nerve Regeneration.

Jun, Young Joon; Rhie, Jong Won; Choi, Yun Seok; Kim, Young Jin; Kim, Sung Eun; Lee, Jong In; Han, Ki Taik

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 2006;33(2):205-212.
Published online March 1, 2006.

The Effects of Adipose Derived Stem Cells on Neurogenic Differentiation and Induction of Nerve Regeneration.

Young Joon Jun, Jong Won Rhie, Yun Seok Choi, Young Jin Kim, Sung Eun Kim, Jong In Lee, Ki Taik Han

¹Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. kthan@catholic.ac.kr
²Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

Using adipose derived stem cells(ASCs), neurogenic differentiation was induced in a mono layered culture medium containing neuronal induction agents. Cells differentiated to the neuronal cells were observed with a inverted microscope and immunofluorecent study. We made a 15 mm long defect in the sciatic nerve of 14 rats and connected a silicone tube to the defect. Then, we mixed neuronal progenitor cells differentiated from ASCs with collagen gel and grafted them to a group of rats(experimental group) and grafted only collagen gel into another group(control group). In 4 and 8 weeks after the graft, histological observation was made. According to the result, the number and diameter of myelinated axons were significantly increased in the experimental group. In addition, the nerve conduction velocity was improved more in the experimental group and neovascularity also increased. Moreover, reaction with S100 and p75 was observed in regenerated nerves in the experimental group, suggesting that the grafted cells were differentiated into supportive cells such as Schwann's cells. In conclusion, this research proved that ASCs can multiply and differentiate into neuronal cells. If they are grafted into nerve defects, the grafted cells are differ entiated into supportive cells such as Schwann's cells and thus contribute to nerve regeneration. Accordingly, the use of adipose tissue obtained easily without the limitation of donor site can be greatly helpful in treating peripheral nerve defects.

Keywords: Adipose derived stem cells(ASCs); Neurogenic differentiation; Nerve regeneration