Femke Mathot

4 Interaction between MSCs and a nerve allograft 65 Table 3. Function descriptions of the evaluated genes. RESULTS Adipose Derived Mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into Schwann-like cells Similar to Schwann cells, the differentiated MSCs showed positive immunofluorescence for Schwann cell surface markers S100, GFAP and NTR p75 and morphologically changed to a spindle-like shape. Undifferentiated MSCs showed no expression of the tested markers ( figure 1 ). Thus, the Schwann cell differentiation protocol we used induces the expected phenotypic changes under our experimental conditions. Quantitative PCR analysis QPCR analysis of unseeded decellularized nerve allografts did not result in detectable levels of mRNA. Hence, decellularization effectively prevented detection of RNA as expected, and indicates that any expression values obtained with nerve allografts are directly derived from the MSCs that were seeded. Genes Functional description NGF Guides axonal growth and promotes Schwann cell activity. 41, 42 GDNF Promotes survival of neurons and axonal sprouting. 41, 43 PTN Neuronal protection and axon regeneration. 44 GAP43 Prominent component in axonal growth cones. 45-47 Plays a key role in the formation of new connections at the neuromuscular junction. 48, 49 PMP22 Important component of myelin and promotes Schwann cell growth and differentiation. 40, 51 VEGF Induces proliferation and migration of vascular endothelial cells, plays a key role in angiogenesis. 52, 53 Neuronal growth stimulator and neuroprotector. 52, 54-56 CD31 Involved in the formation and stabilization of the lateral junctions between adjacent endothelial cells, maintaining the vascular permeability barrier and angiogenesis. 57-59 COL1A1 Encodes for a major component of type I collagen, which influences axonal growth. Component of the ECM of nerves that enables Schwann cell adhesion, growth and differentiation. 9, 60, 61 COL3A1 Encodes for a major component of type III collagen, which influences axonal growth. Component of the ECM of nerves that enables Schwann cell adhesion, growth and differentiation. 9, 60, 61 FBLN1 Prominent in the matrix of the perineurium of peripheral nerves. 62 LAMB2 Component of the basement membrane of muscles at the neuromuscular junctions. 63, 64 CASP3 Crucial mediator in cell apoptosis of Schwann cells. 65, 66 CCNB2 Forms mitosis promotic factor complexes with Cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk). 67, 68