The differentiation of rat adipose-derived stem cells into OEC-like cells on collagen scaffolds by co-culturing with OECs

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) transplantation is a promising or potential therapy for spinal cord injury (SCI). However, their clinical use is limited because of the availability. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have been identified as an alternative source of adult stem cells in recent years. ADSCs could be differentiated into various mesenchymal tissues cells such as chondrocytes, adipocytes, osteoblasts, and myocytes and also could be differentiated into neural lineages. In this study, we examined the feasibility of using ADSCs as a source of stem cells for the differentiation of OECs by co-culture approach. When co-cultured with OECs, the ADSCs on three-dimensional collagen scaffolds were differentiated into OEC-like cells, with similar morphology and antigenic phenotypes (p75NTR+/Nestin+/GFAP−) of OECs. Co-cultured ADSCs were positive for several important functional markers of mature OECs such as neurotrophic factor GDNF, BDNF and myelin protein PLP and the conditioned medium of OEC-like cells could significantly promote DRG neuron growth and axon sprouting without NGF supporting in contrast to that of the ADSCs. Our results showed that ADSCs had the potential to differentiate into OEC-like cells on the three-dimensional collagen scaffolds in vitro.