Abstract: Objective:To investigate the effect of pilose antler polypeptide combined with Schwann cells modified by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF) gene on the proliferation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) in vitro. Methods:According to the conventional method,the bone marrow (10 mL) was extracted from the healthy volunteers and was inoculated into the culture flask. The primary cultured cells were completely fused. The BMSCs were harvested at the 3rd generation and the cells were adjusted to 5×10⁶ mL^-1. 4 μL GDNF gene modified Schwann cells was added into GDNF group, 4 μL (10 mg·L^-1) PAP combined with GDNF gene modified Schwann cells was added into combination group, and only same amount of medium was added into control group. The proliferative activities, cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) levels and apoptotic rates of BMSCs in various groups were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA method and Annexin Ⅴ-FIFC/PI cell apoptosis detection kit,respectively. Results:After primary culture for 48 h, most of the cells adhered to the wall, and the morphology of the cells changed into polygonal shape and few of them showed spindle. The passaged cells showed spindle spindle,the cells were confirmed as BMSCs, and all of them were non-hematopoietic stem cells. Compared with control group, the proliferative activities and the PCNA level of the BMSCs in GDNF group and combination group were increased(P<0.05) and the apoptotic rates were decreased(P<0.05); compared with GDNF group, the proliferative activity and the PCNA level of the BMSCs in combination group were increased (P<0.05) and the apoptotic rate was decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion:PAP combined with Schwann cells modified by GDNF gene can promote the proliferation of human BMSCs in vitro.

Key words: Schwann cells, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, apoptosis, cell proliferation, pilose antler polypeptide, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor