A simple method for the Schwann cell preparation from newborn rat sciatic nerves

Abstract

We have developed a simple and relatively rapid method for obtaining a sufficient number of Schwann cells with a favorable purification ratio from newborn rat sciatic nerves. Perineurium-free nerves were torn into small fascicles of approximately 150–200 μm in diameter and explanted twice on type I collagen gel every 2 days of the culture period in order to reduce the number of contaminant fibroblasts. The last explanted tissues were fed with Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 100 μ/ml bovine pituitary extract for 10 days. More than 10 × 10 4 Schwann cells (> 95% purity) were obtained from newborn rat sciatic nerves.