Unmet Need
Permanent peripheral nerve damage can be caused by acute traumatic injury, or peripheral neuropathy may develop gradually, secondary to hereditary disorders (i.e. Charcot-Marie-Tooth), chronic diseases (i.e., diabetes) and aging-related demyelination symptoms. The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy may be as high as 39% among older adults living in the United States. Schwann cell transplantation represents a potential therapeutic approach for the repair of both acute and chronic peripheral nerve damage, since these cells play a key role in the native repair and remyelination processes. However, there are still significant barriers to the mass production of Schwann cells for clinical use, including issues with quality control, culture timelines, and enriching for cells with high levels of reproducible biological activity. Therefore, there is a clear need to improve methods for Schwann cell production and for identifying cultured cells with a functional myelinating phenotype.
Technology Overview
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a novel approach for the differentiation of hPSCs into functional Schwann cells that are highly capable of myelinating axons in both in vitro and in vivo models. Their method improves upon existing technology by a significant modification, which drives developing cells towards a functional, mature phenotype. Cultures may be expanded without loss of cell function. Inventors have also identified novel surface markers for mature, myelinating Schwann cells that can be used to identify and isolate cells of interest post-expansion. This technology will support the development of Schwann cell-based therapeutics that can be used to treat peripheral nervous system diseases.
Stage of Development
The inventors have demonstrated the myelination capability of Schwann cells produced with a new differentiation protocol both in vitro (using human cell co-culture models for nerve repair) and in vivo (rat sciatic nerve).
Publication
Manuscript in preparation
