Conclusion
HT stimulates the proliferation of hSCs in vitro, indicated by a significant increase in the hSC proliferation index and protein expression of hSCs' proliferation markers, namely p75 NGFR and GFAP.
Methods
The primary human Schwann cell (hSC) was characterized, and the proliferation rate of hSC supplemented with various concentrations of HT was determined via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell cycle analysis and protein expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and p75 nerve growth factor receptor (p75 NGFR) were evaluated via the immunofluorescence technique.
Results
In vitro culture of hSCs revealed spindle-like, bipolar morphology with the expression of specific markers of hSC. Hydroxytyrosol at 10 and 20 ng/mL significantly increased the proliferation of hSCs by 30.12 ± 5.9% and 47.8 ± 6.7% compared to control (p < 0.05). Cell cycle analysis showed that HT-treated hSCs have a higher proliferation index (16.2 ± 0.2%) than the control (12.4 ± 0.4%) (p < 0.01). In addition, HT significantly increased the protein expression of GFAP and p75NGFR (p < 0.05).