Promotion of Adrenal Pheochromocytoma (PC-12) Cell Proliferation and Outgrowth Using Schwann Cell-Laden Gelatin Methacrylate Substrate

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injuries cause different degrees of nerve palsy and function loss. Due to the limitations of autografts, nerve tissue engineering (TE) scaffolds incorporated with various neurotrophic factors and cells have been investigated to promote nerve regeneration. However, the molecular mechanism is still poorly understood. In this study, we co-cultured Schwann cells (SCs) and rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells on 50% degrees of methacryloyl substitution gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) scaffold. The SCs were encapsulated within the GelMA, and PC-12 cells were on the surface. A 5% GelMA was used as the co-culture scaffold since it better supports SCs proliferation, viability, and myelination and promotes higher neurotrophic factors secretion than 10% GelMA. In the co-culture, PC-12 cells demonstrated a higher cell proliferation rate and axonal extension than culturing without SCs, indicating that the secretion of neurotrophic factors from SCs can stimulate PC-12 growth and axonal outgrowth. The mRNA level for neurotrophic factors of SCs in 5% GelMA was further evaluated. We found significant upregulation when compared with a 2D culture, which suggested that this co-culture system could be a potential scaffold to investigate the mechanism of how SCs affect neuronal behaviors.

Evaluation and Comparison of the Effects of mature Silkworm (Bombyx Mori) and Silkworm Pupae Extracts on Schwann Cell Proliferation and Axon Growth: An in vitro study

“…A study found that the Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides with 0.5 µg/mL for 24h could signi cantly promote the proliferation of primary SCs cultured in vitro at different times (58). The coculture, SCs, and Adrenal Pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells showed a numerous cell proliferation rate and axonal expansion (59). Heregulin 10nM for 24h has an effective mitogen for human SCs.…”

Evaluation and Comparison of the Effects of Mature Silkworm (Bombyx mori) and Silkworm Pupae Extracts on Schwann Cell Proliferation and Axon Growth: An In Vitro Study

“…The co-culture of SCs and adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells showed a high cell proliferation rate and axonal expansion (62). Also, Heregulin (10 nM) for 24 h showed a successful mitogen for human SCs (63).…”

“…A survey showed that the Achyranthes bidentata polypeptides at 0.5 μg/mL for 24 h could significantly promote the proliferation of primary SCs cultured in vitro at different times ( 61 ). The co-culture of SCs and adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells showed a high cell proliferation rate and axonal expansion ( 62 ). Also, Heregulin (10 nM) for 24 h showed a successful mitogen for human SCs ( 63 ).…”

Evaluation of the Effect of Fibroblasts on Melanoma Metastasis Using a Biomimetic Co-Culture Model

“…41 The co-culture model was constructed with fibroblasts encapsulated in GelMA, whereas melanoma cells were cultured on the GelMA surface, which realistically mimics the melanoma TME structure. 42 This co-culture model could provide a better understanding of the mechanism underlying melanoma metastasis and be further used for high-throughput drug screening or personalized therapy using cells derived from patients in the future. For material characterization, the pore structure, pore size, mechanical properties, and biodegradability of GelMA used in this study were analyzed to determine the applicability as the cell culture substrate for fibroblast encapsulation and melanoma cell seeding.…”

“…Therefore, gelatin retains the major functional peptides of collagen and had good biological properties like collagen, including good biocompatibility, biodegradability, nonimmunogenicity, and water-solubility, which makes it an ideal 3D cell culture substrate to mimic the melanoma ECM . The co-culture model was constructed with fibroblasts encapsulated in GelMA, whereas melanoma cells were cultured on the GelMA surface, which realistically mimics the melanoma TME structure . This co-culture model could provide a better understanding of the mechanism underlying melanoma metastasis and be further used for high-throughput drug screening or personalized therapy using cells derived from patients in the future.…”