SELECTIVE EXPANSION AND LONG-TERM CULTURE OF HUMAN SCHWANN-CELLS FROMSURAL NERVE BIOPSIES

Fragments of sural nerve biopsy specimens were cultured in the presenc e of the supernatant of lymphokine-activated killer cells, resulting i n the selective outgrowth of cells with bipolar or tripolar morphology , reminiscent of that of Schwann cells. Immunofluorescent staining wit h antibodies to the S-100 protein, the low-affinity nerve growth facto r receptor, and the surface Thy-1 antigen confirmed that these culture s contained more than 99% Schwann cells and no detectable fibroblasts. The mitotic activity of Schwann cells was measured by bromodeoxyuridi ne labeling, and was increased when the cells were grown in medium wit h lymphokine-activated killer cell supernatant compared with medium wi thout this supernatant. In the presence of lymphokine-activated killer cell supernatant, Schwann cells could be maintained in continuous cul ture for a minimum of 8 months.