Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare the differences in protein-coding transcripts before and after different induction times of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)-induced Schwann-like cells (iSCs). METHODS: ADSCs were isolated from healthy adult female rats. In addition, the iSCs of 7 and 19 days after induction were chosen for ribonucleic acid (RNA)-sequencing (RNA-seq). Bioinformatic analysis was applied to determine the differences among ADSCs (group 1, g1), iSCs-7d (group 2, g2), and iSCs-19d (group 3, g3). Eight differentially expressed messenger RNAs (DEmRNAs) were randomly selected for quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to verify the accuracy of sequencing data. RESULTS: Compared with g1, g2, and g3 had 83 and 189 DEmRNAs, respectively. DEmRNAs of g2 were located in the synapse area and enriched in the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like signaling pathway through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis. Located in the neuromuscular junction and extracellular matrix (ECM), DEmRNAs of g3 were enriched in the cellular response to cyclic adenosine monophosphate and the development of the peripheral nervous system through Gene Ontology analysis. Venn analysis showed that 31 genes were up-regulated after induction, and their protein products were mainly located in the ECM and enriched in the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) pathway. Eight genes were found to be down-regulated in these groups. It was discovered that neurofilament high molecular weight (Nefh), neuroregulatory protein 1 (Nrg1), and iodothyronine deiodinase 2 (Dio2) exhibited a persistent increase in quantitative PCR results after induction. CONCLUSION: During the induction process of Schwann cells from ADSCs, key regulation factors such as Nefh, Nrg1, and Dio2, as well as the continuous activation of the JAK/STAT pathway may play a role in facilitating cell transdifferentiation.