Use of engineered Schwann cells in peripheral neuropathy: Hopes and hazards

• Schwann cells can be derived from multiple sources including embryonic stem cells as well as adult cells such as induced pluripotent stem cells or by direct transdifferentiation from fibroblasts.
• Schwann cells can be used as cell replacement therapy for traumatic nerve injuries but are unlikely to be used for more systemic diseases such as diabetic peripheral neuropathy until systemic delivery issues are resolved.
• Schwann cells from patients with peripheral neuropathies can be used to model human diseases.

Many diseases of the peripheral nervous system affect the function of Schwann cells. Recent developments in stem cell technology offer the opportunity to engineer stem cell derived glial cell populations that reveal essential phenotypic characteristics of Schwann cells including growth support and myelination of peripheral axons. Potential applications of these cells include its use as platform for human cell-based disease models as well as potential source for cell transplantation strategies. In this review we provide an update on the latest developments in engineering Schwann cells as diagnostic tools or for cell replacement therapies in peripheral neuropathic conditions.This article is part of a Special Issue entitled PSC and the brain.