Abstract: Objective Schwann cells (SCs) play a key role in the repair of peripheral nerve injury. The aim of this study is to establish an immortalized Schwann cell line of the mouse sciatic nerve through SV40T. Methods SCs of the mouse sciatic nerve was transfected with MPH 86 plasmids, then hygromycin was used to screen cells and subcultured. The SCs that were transfected by SV40 T was were as SV40T-SCs. WST-1 was used to measure cell proliferation. The expression of SV40 T and other nerve marker genes were analyzed by qPCR. Immunohistochemical staining of SV40T-SCs was performed. Finally, SV40T-SCs was further induced to differentiate in vitro. Results The morphology of SV40T-SCs was diverse and the cells grew faster, and had the ability of perpetual passage, which were different from primary SCs significantly. SV40T-SCs expressed highly Nestin, Pax3 and Slug. Immunohistochemical staining showed that CD44, CD73 and CD105 were positive. In addition, SV40T-SCs can be induced to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes in vitro. Conclusions SV40T may induce the reprogramming of SCs in sciatic nerve of mice and SCs are transformed into mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

Key words: Schwann cells, SV40T, Immortalization, Reprogramming, Mesenchymal stem cells