Schwann-Like Adult Stem Cells Derived From Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue Express c-Aminobutyric Acid Type B Receptors

Alessandro Faroni, Cristina Mantovani, Susan Shawcross, Marcella Motta, Giorgio Terenghi, Valerio Magnaghi

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Abstract

γ-Aminobutyric acid type B receptors (GABA-B) are expressed in glial cells of the central and peripheral nervous systems, and recent evidence has shown their importance in modulating physiological parameters of Schwann cell (SC). SC play essential roles in peripheral nerve regeneration, but several drawbacks prevent their use for nerve repair. Adult stem cells from adipose tissue (ASC) or bone marrow (BM-MSC) can be differentiated into an SC-like phenotype and used as SC replacements. The aim of this study was to investigate GABA-B receptor functional expression in differentiated stem cells by assessing the similarity to SC. By means of RT-PCR and Western blot methodologies, BM-MSC and ASC were found to express both GABA-B1 and GABA-B2 receptor subunits. The expression levels of GABA-B1b and GABA-B2 receptors were influenced by SC-like differentiation, as shown by Western blot studies. GABA-B receptor stimulation with baclofen reduced the proliferation rate of SC and differentiated ASC (dASC) but not that of dBM-MSC. In conclusion, both of the subunits that assemble into a functional GABA-B receptor are present in differentiated stem cells. Furthermore, GABA-B receptors in dASC are functionally active, regulating a key process such as proliferation. The presence of functional GABA-B receptors on differentiated stem cells opens new opportunities for a possible pharmacological modulation of their physiology and phenotype.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1351-1362
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Neuroscience Research
Volume89
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2011

Keywords

  • γ-aminobutyric acid
  • Adult stem cells
  • Peripheral nerve regeneration
  • Schwann cells
  • Transdifferentiation

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