RESUMO
The preconditioning hypoxia for stem cells is a strategy to achieve effective conditions for cell therapy, indicate increased expression of regenerative genes in stem cell therapy, and enhance the secretion of bioactive factors and therapeutic potential of their cultured secretome. Objectives: This study aims to explore the response of Schwann-like cells derived from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SLCs) and Schwann cells rat sciatic nerve-derived stem cells (SCs) with their secretomes under normoxic and hypoxic conditions in vitro. Material and methods: SLCs and SCs were isolated from the adipose tissue and the sciatic nerve of the adult white male rat strain Wistar. Cells were incubated in 21% O2 (normoxic group) and 1%, 3%, and 5% O2 (hypoxic group) conditions. Concentration values of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß), basic Fibroblast Growth factor (bFGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial-derived neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and nerve growth factor were detected and calculated utilizing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the growth curve was described. Results: SLCs and SCs indicated positive expression for mesenchymal markers and negative expression for hematopoietic markers. Normoxic conditions SLCs and SCs showed elongated and flattened morphology. Under hypoxic conditions, SLCs and SCs showed a classic fibroblast-like morphology. Hypoxia 1% gave the highest concentration in TGF-ß and bFGF from the SLCs group and TGF-ß, bFGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor from the SCs group. No significant differences in concentration of growth factors between the SLCs group compared to SCs group in all oxygen groups. Conclusions: Preconditioning hypoxia has an effect on the composing of SLCs, SCs, and their secretomes in vitro; no significant differences in concentration of growth factors between the SLCs group compared with the SCs group in all oxygen groups.