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Peripheral nerve injury repair can be enhanced by Schwann cell (SC) transplantation, but clinical applications are limited by the lack of a cell source. Thus, alternative systems for generating SCs are desired. Herein, we found the peripheral blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs) could be induced into SC like cells with expressing SC-specific markers (S100, P75NTR and CNPase) and functional factors (NGF, NT-3, c-Fos, and Krox20). When the induced PBMSCs (iPBMSCs) were transplanted into crushed rat sciatic nerves, they functioned as SCs by wrapping the injured axons and expressing myelin specific marker of MBP. Furthermore, iPBMSCs seeded in an artificial nerve conduit to bridge a 10-mm defect in a sciatic nerve achieved significant nerve regeneration outcomes, including axonal regeneration and remyelination, nerve conduction recovery, and restoration of motor function, and attenuated myoatrophy and neuromuscular junction degeneration in the target muscle. Overall, the data from this study indicated that PBMSCs can transdifferentiate towards SC-like cells and have potential as grafting cells for nerve tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral blood mesenchymal stem cells (PBMSCs) may be easily harvested from patients, permitting autologous grafts for bone tissue engineering in the future. However, the PBMSC's capabilities of survival, osteogenesis and production of new bone matrix in the defect area are still unclear. Herein, PBMSCs were seeded into a nanofiber scaffold of self-assembling peptide (SAP) and cultured in osteogenic medium. The results indicated SAP can serve as a promising scaffold for PBMSCs survival and osteogenic differentiation in 3D conditions. Furthermore, the SAP seeded with the induced PBMSCs was splinted by two membranes of poly(lactic)-glycolic acid (PLGA) to fabricate a composited scaffold which was then used to repair a critical-size calvarial bone defect model in rat. Twelve weeks later the defect healing and mineralization were assessed by H&E staining and microcomputerized tomography (micro-CT). The osteogenesis and new bone formation of grafted cells in the scaffold were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. To our knowledge this is the first report with solid evidence demonstrating PBMSCs can survive in the bone defect area and directly contribute to new bone formation. Moreover, the present data also indicated the tissue engineering with PBMSCs/SAP/PLGA scaffold can serve as a novel prospective strategy for healing large size cranial defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]