Isolation and induction of differentiation into nervous system cells of the skin-derived precursors

ObjectiveTo investigate the isolation of skin-derived precursors(SKPs) from the skin of paraplegic patients, and induce it into nervous system cells.

MethodsThe 2 cm² skin samples were obtained from the incision edge in patients with thoracic vertebral fracture complicated with paraplegia or not, cut into 1-2 mm³ pieces, and then digested in trypsin for 4 hours.The epidermal layer was removed, and the cells were collected by centrifugation after blowing.The cell phenotype was detected by fluorescence histochemistry, and the cells were induced into the differentiation of the nervous system cells.

ResultsThe SKPs could successfully be isolated from the skin of paraplegia patients and there was no statistical significance in the biological characteristics between paraplegics and non-paraplegics(P>0.05).Two kinds of cells from paraplegics and non-paraplegics could express the nestin, specific antigen marker, and be induced into neuron and Schwann cells.

ConclusionsSKPs can be isolated from the skin of paraplegia patients, and induced into the nervous system cells.It is suggested that it has a good application prospect in autologous cell transplantation of spinal cord injury.