Enhancement of Schwann-like cells differentiation from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells by administration of platelet-rich plasma: An in vitro study

Peripheral nerve injury often results in significant functional impairments, yet effective treatments remain limited. While Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) hold promise for nerve regeneration, their neurogenic potential remains suboptimal. This study investigates whether platelet-rich plasma (PRP) can enhance the neurogenic differentiation and proliferation of AdMSCs under in vitro conditions. The AdMSCs were isolated and harvested from the abdominal fat tissue of male white rats. These cells were cultured in the third passage and were characterized by specific cell markers. Immunofluorescence staining was utilized to assess CD14, CD45, CD90, and CD105 markers on AdMSCs. The PRP was then prepared from the blood of other rats. Subsequently, the AdMSCs were cultured in neuro-inductive conditioned media plus 10% PRP (experimental group), and Schwann cells were used for control. Then, immunofluorescence staining was conducted for both Schwann-like cells (SLCs) and Schwann cells to visualize β-III tubulin, GFAP, and S100 expression. The result shows that the platelet count in PRP was (1152.81 ± 142.45) x 10⁹/l was significantly higher when compared to the platelet count of venous blood (181.01 ± 22.50) x 10⁹/l (p=0.000). The isolation and characterization of AdMSCs were further successful, confirmed by CD90 and CD105 markers that were positive. Subsequently, the administration of PRP successfully encouraged the AdMSCs proliferation into SLCs. After two weeks of neurogenic induction, PRP-treated AdMSCs showed the same GFAP, S100, and β-III tubulin figures compared to Schwann cells. In conclusion, PRP may be able to promote cell proliferation and neurogenic differentiation of AdMSCs.