体外培养过程中许旺细胞S100表达规律研究

目的：目前研究发现,周围神经中许旺细胞的标志物有很多,S100是其中之一。S100在体内表达的变化规律已有比较深入的研究,但是其在体外培养的许旺细胞的表达规律尚不清楚。因此,本课题研究小鼠许旺细胞在体外培养过程中S100蛋白的表达变化规律。方法：取新生（出生5-7 d）C57BL/6小鼠的坐骨神经,酶消化分离获取细胞后,培养纯化扩增3次。用S100免疫荧光法及RT-PCR技术研究许旺细胞在体外培养过程中S100的表达规律。结果：从坐骨神经消化所得到的许旺细胞,早期并不都表达S100,阳性率约为43.48%,随着培养时间延长（培养8天）,所有许旺细胞均表达S100,能够达到阳性率95.66%。结论：体外培养的许旺细胞,其标志物S100阳性率表达随培养时间延长而增加。并且我们发现,S100并不能作为一个可靠的标志物来单独应用鉴定体外培养早期的许旺细胞。     

小鼠主动脉血管平滑肌原代细胞的分离培养及鉴定

目的:血管平滑肌细胞在人类心血管疾病中具有重要的作用,而作为重要的遗传学研究模式生物的小鼠血管平滑肌材料有限,因此建立一种简单高效的小鼠血管平滑肌原代细胞分离培养方法很重要。方法:分离小鼠主动脉中膜层,胶原酶消化法获得原代平滑肌细胞,免疫荧光方法检测细胞的纯度和分化状态;分离平滑肌细胞特异的报告小鼠的平滑肌细胞,LacZ染色鉴定。结果:用该方法分离的原代平滑肌细胞生长迅速,3d后即可达5×106个。免疫荧光显示,细胞传至第3代后纯度在98%以上,细胞传至8代分化状态没有改变。LacZ染色鉴定报告小鼠分离的3代平滑肌细胞98%以上显示特异的蓝染。两种实验证明,应用此方法分离原代平滑肌细胞可以满足平滑肌体外功能实验的需求。结论:与传统的组织块培养法相比,该方法操作简便、经济,可以获得更多高纯度的血管平滑肌细胞。     

NMDA受体激活引起的突触活动对Wnt非经典通路的影响

目的探讨NMDA受体激活引起的突触活动诱导Wnt非经典通路的活化。方法构建C57BL/6J胎鼠大脑皮层神经元原代培养体系,用NMDA处理神经元细胞,并结合Western blotting、双免疫荧光染色等技术,检测神经元细胞内Wnt非经典通路的相关蛋白的变化。结果免疫荧光染色显示成功建立了C57BL/6J胎鼠大脑皮层神经元体外培养体系,原代神经元细胞在体外培养10d生长良好,且纯度达90%;体外培养的神经元细胞内存在Wnt5a神经递质,经NMDA的刺激,发现Wnt非经典通路的两个标志性蛋白CaMKII和JNK的磷酸化水平显著增加,且Wnt非经典通路的一种受体Frizzled-5的蛋白表达水平也显著增加。进一步的研究显示,用NMDA竞争性抑制剂DAP5能够阻断NMDA引起的CaMKII和JNK蛋白的磷酸化水平的提高。结论 NMDA受体的激活会诱导Wnt非经典通路的活化。     

周围神经再生早期过程中内源性和外源性巨噬细胞数量变化的实验研究

目的：周围神经再生过程中巨噬细胞发挥了重要的作用,然而目前对于神经内内源性和外源性巨噬细胞的具体作用了解的却很少,因此本实验研究了小鼠坐骨神经损伤后早期再生过程中内源性和外源性巨噬细胞数量比例变化的情况,探索周围神经再生的规律。方法：移植CAG-EGFP转基因小鼠的全骨髓有核细胞到骨髓灭活野生型C5781／6小鼠体内建立嵌合体小鼠模型。待移植成功3个月后夹伤小鼠一侧坐骨神经,并在损伤后第2、7、14和28天取材、切片,使用巨噬细胞特异性抗体cD68进行免疫荧光染色,分析损伤神经段中内源性巨噬细胞（CD68＋／EGFP-）、外源性巨噬细胞（CD68＋／EGFP＋）的数量及其比例变化情况。结果：①夹伤骨髓移植模型小鼠坐骨神经后,参与坐骨神经损伤修复的巨噬细胞可分为两类,即内源性巨噬细胞（CD68＋／EGFP-）和外源性巨噬细胞（CD68＋／EGFP＋）;②夹伤坐骨神经后,浸润的总巨噬细胞数量从第2天开始逐渐增加,到第14天达到高峰,约为正常情况下的60倍,随后逐渐减少;③起初外、内源性巨噬细胞间的比例是1：1,差值最大出现在损伤后第14天为4：l。结论：小鼠坐骨神经夹伤后,内外源性巨噬细胞共同参与了受损神经组织远心段的修复和再生过程,损伤初期发挥作用的主要是内源性巨噬细胞,随后大量浸润的外源性巨噬细胞占主导作用。本实验首次连续观察并定量分析了神经损伤后早期内源性和外源性巨噬细胞的数量改变,证实了瓦勒氏变性过程中内源性和外源性巨噬细胞在不同阶段对巨噬细胞总量的贡献作用。     

建立绿色荧光蛋白标记的小鼠胚胎干细胞系及向心肌样细胞的分化

带有GFP基因的ESD3细胞系是一个良好的可以用于研究体内和体外细胞分化和组织产生的模型。用磷酸钙共沉淀法将质粒pEGFP-N2导入小鼠胚胎干细胞D3细胞系中 ,在荧光显微镜下以 488nm激发光检查阳性克隆 ,并进行初步扩增。经G4 18筛选后 ,机械挑取EGFP强阳性表达的克隆 ,并在丝裂霉素C处理的小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞的饲养层上 ,在无选择性压力的条件下 ,进一步扩大培养 ,获得纯化的转染细胞系。20代以后 ,转染细胞仍然表达绿色荧光蛋白。PCR检测表明 8代和 18代转染细胞均携带有GFP标志基因。对稳定表达EGFP的干细胞系进行碱性磷酸酶染色、拟胚体和畸胎瘤形成的检测 ,证明这些细胞具有干细胞的特征。经拟胚体 ,可进一步分化成具有搏动能力的心肌细胞 ,分化百分率为 30 %～ 4 0 % ,较未转染细胞 60 %～ 70 %的分化率低 ,造成低分化率机制还不清楚。这些细胞在激光共聚焦显微镜下呈绿色荧光 ,免疫组化染色显示具心肌细胞特异的cTnT分子标志。该EGFP标记的干细胞系带有可进行原位、实时检测的绿色荧光 ,可应用于细胞移植和体内分化的研究.     

脂多糖干预对大鼠周围神经损伤后瓦勒变性的影响

目的探讨脂多糖对于大鼠坐骨神经损伤瓦勒变性早期髓鞘碎片清除的影响。方法将50只Wistar大鼠随机分成假手术组(10只),模型组(20只)和脂多糖LPS组(20只),LPS组及模型组横断大鼠右侧坐骨神经后,行神经外膜端端吻合;假手术组仅游离出坐骨神经,然后关闭切口。LPS组大鼠在神经断端显微注射LPS(2 g/L)1μL,模型组及假手术组大鼠注射同等体积生理盐水。于术后1.5、24 h和7 d取术侧坐骨神经。实时定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测坐骨神经中白介素1β(IL-1β)mRNA、单核细胞趋化蛋白-1(MCP-1)mRNA水平;免疫荧光法检测坐骨神经中CD68+巨噬细胞的表达;HE染色观察坐骨神经的病理变化;油红O染色观察坐骨神经脱髓鞘程度;LFB染色观察坐骨神经髓鞘变化;坐骨神经功能指数(SFI)评价大鼠运动功能的恢复情况。结果实时定量PCR显示,与假手术组相比,术后1.5 h模型组IL-1βmRNA和MCP-1 mRNA的表达均明显升高(P0.001,P0.001),与模型组相比,术后1.5 h LPS组IL-1βmRNA和MCP-1mRNA的表达明显升高(P0.001,P0.001)。术后24 h模型组IL-1βmRNA和MCP-1m RNA的表达均明显升高(P0.001,P0.001),与模型组相比,术后24h LPS组IL-1βmRNA和MCP-1 mRNA的表达明显升高(P0.01,P0.01)。免疫荧光可见,与模型组相比,术后7 d LPS组中CD68+细胞表达显著上调(P0.05)。术后7 d坐骨神经HE染色可见,LPS组坐骨神经断端较多炎性细胞浸润,许旺细胞增殖活跃,模型组神经断端炎性细胞和许旺细胞较少。术后7 d坐骨神经ORO染色可见,与模型组相比,LPS组断端远侧脱髓鞘程度较高。术后7 d坐骨神经LFB染色可见,模型组和LPS组坐骨神经断端均出现脱髓鞘反应,但与模型组相比,LPS组神经断端残余髓鞘碎片明显减少(P0.05)。SFI显示,与模型组相比,LPS组大鼠在术后10、20、30、40和50 d分别不同程度升高,术后20 d明显增高,差异有显著性(P0.05)。结论脂多糖通过激活固有免疫系统加快大鼠坐骨周围神经损伤后瓦勒变性早期髓鞘碎片的清除。     

小鼠主动脉平滑肌细胞的分离培养及鉴定

目的:建立分离培养小鼠原代主动脉血管平滑肌细胞(VSMC)的方法并检测其生长特性。方法:剥离小鼠主动脉中膜层,分别采用组织块培养法及胶原酶消化法分离培养小鼠主动脉来源的原代VSMC,免疫荧光法检测细胞的纯度和分化状态;3-(4,5-二甲基-2-噻唑)-2,5-二苯基溴化四氮唑蓝(MTT)法测定小鼠主动脉VSMC传代细胞的生长、增殖特性。结果:组织块培养法培养组织块8d后,细胞从组织块边缘爬出,18 d后细胞汇合度达到80%以上后传代;胶原酶消化法分离培养的细胞生长7 d后,汇合度可达80%,此时进行传代;2种方法获得的细胞进行免疫荧光染色,结果显示细胞传至第3代时纯度在95%以上,传至第8代时分化状态并没有改变;MTT法显示细胞生长3~5 d时处于指数生长期。结论:本研究建立了2种可靠稳定的分离和培养小鼠主动脉VSMC的方法,VSMC纯度高,多次传代后细胞特征稳定。     

乳鼠坐骨神经植块法的雪旺氏细胞培养

目的:改善并建立一种新的大鼠雪旺氏细胞(SCs)的培养方法,为研究外周神经损伤修复模型及其它外周神经相关实验提供高纯度、多数量的SCs。方法:麻醉后显微镜下解剖并分离新生3天内SD大鼠的坐骨神经,采取植块培养的方法,显微镜下尽量剥除坐骨神经纤维外膜,并梳理松解坐骨神经的神经纤维束。梳理后剪碎坐骨神经,每小块种植于培养皿中,使用纯血清培养4小时,再加入正常的DMEM/F12培养基,消化培养2-3代。最后用S-100及GFAP免疫荧光染色进行纯度鉴定。结果:本实验在总结前人实验的基础上,联合创新采用坐骨神经外膜剥除、神经内膜梳理、纯血清培养以及胰酶差速消化等方法,短时间内获得SCs的纯度可达99%以上,可用于进一步对雪旺氏细胞的功能进行研究。结论:这种选用乳鼠坐骨神经植块、血清培养的方法简单易操作,无需额外的生长因子及抑制因子,可在短期内获得大量高纯度的SCs。     

许旺细胞复合改性PLA\PGA的体外生物学研究

目的：评价小鼠许旺细胞体外复合改性聚乳酸\聚羟基乙酸（PLA\PGA）的细胞活性及生物相容性。方法：转绿色荧光蛋白基 因（GFP）小鼠的许旺细胞传代培养至第2 代,然后通过MTT 检测在不同改性技术（H2O2、NaOH、NaClO4、K2CrO4及超声波）处理 的PLA\PGA 浸提液中许旺细胞的增殖情况,检测许旺细胞在PLA\PGA表面的黏附及其细胞形态。结果：于培养1 d,3 d测得在 不同改性技术处理的PLA\PGA浸提液OD值,1 天时,各浸提液组和对照组相比无显著性差异,许旺细胞的活力及增殖无影响。3 天时,经NaClO4及K2CrO4处理的PLA\PGA 与对照组相比具有统计学差异,影响许旺细胞的增殖,对许旺细胞有毒性;荧光显微 镜下观察到许旺细胞在改性PLA\PGA 表面逐渐伸展,形成伪足,最终粘附在材料表面。结论：经H2O2、NaOH 及超声波改性 PLA\PGA无细胞毒性,具有良好的生物相容性和黏附性,可以用于组织工程化神经的构筑。     

标记减数分裂遗传重组的免疫荧光染色方法

联会复合体免疫荧光技术在全基因减数分裂遗传重组研究中具有精确和直观的优势.本研究通过免疫荧光染色方法制备小鼠精母细胞联会复合体,研究其形态组成与遗传重组特征,展示雄性小鼠遗传重组图谱并分析其重组位点(MLH1位点)的分布特征.4只小鼠共145个精母细胞在平均每个细胞的MLH1位点数为23.3±2.4;在常染色体联会复合体中,未发现有3个MLH1位点的联会复合体,具有1个MLH1位点的联会复合体较多,平均为14.2;无XY联会复合体的细胞占所有细胞的4.1%,XY联会复合体上有MLH1位点的细胞占30.2%;联会复合体上有裂缝的细胞占0.7%.通过联会复合体免疫荧光染色可以清晰地分辨出联会复合体(红色)、着丝粒(蓝色)和MLH1位点(绿色),是遗传重组分析的一种强有力工具.     

Identification of gene expression profile of neural crest-derived cells isolated from submandibular glands of adult mice

Neural crest cells in the embryo migrate to reach target sites as neural crest-derived cells (NCDCs) where they differentiate into a variety of derivatives. Some NCDCs are maintained in an undifferentiated state throughout the life of the animal and are considered to be a useful cell source for regenerative medicine. However, no established method to obtain NCDCs sufficient for regenerative medicine from adults with high purity has been presented, since their distribution in adult tissues is not fully understood. It is critical to identify reliable markers for NCDCs in adults, as the expressions of P0 and Wnt1, the most reliable NCDC markers, are shut off in the embryonic stage. To analyze the characteristics of NCDCs in adult tissues, we utilized a double transgenic mouse strain, P0-Cre/CAG-CAT-EGFP transgenic mice (P0 mice), in which NCDCs were shown to express EGFP and we were able to recognize GFP-positive cells in those. We focused on the submandibular glands (SMGs), which are known to be derived from the neural crest. GFP-positive cells were shown to be scattered like islands in the SMGs of adult P0 mice. We surgically removed SMGs from adult mice and digested samples into single cell suspensions. GFP-positive cells separated using flow cytometry expressed a high level of Sox10, a marker of embryonic neural crest cells, suggesting successful isolation of NCDCs. To identify candidate marker genes in isolated NCDCs, we performed DNA microarray analyses and real-time PCR analysis of GFP-positive and -negative cells isolated from P0 mice, then selected genes showing differential gene expression patterns. As compared to GFP-negative cells, GFP-positive cells expressed Gpr4 and Ednrb at higher levels, whereas Pdgfra and Pdgfrb were expressed at lower levels. Furthermore, DNA microarray analysis showed that GFP-positive cells were positive for aquaporin 5, a marker for acinar cells. Together, our results indicate that NCDCs in adult SMGs have characteristic gene expression profiles specially their cell surface molecules. Cell sorting using a combination of these specific cell surface proteins would be a useful strategy for isolation of NCDCs from SMGs with high purity.     

The adult hair follicle: cradle for pluripotent neural crest stem cells

This review focuses on the recent identification of two novel neural crest-derived cells in the adult mammalian hair follicle, pluripotent stem cells, and Merkel cells. Wnt1-cre/R26R compound transgenic mice, which in the periphery express beta-galactosidase in a neural crest-specific manner, were used to trace neural crest cells. Neural crest cells invade the facial epidermis as early as embryonic day 9.5. Neural crest-derived cells are present along the entire extent of the whisker follicle. This includes the bulge area, an epidermal niche for keratinocyte stem cells, as well as the matrix at the base of the hair follicle. We have determined by in vitro clonal analysis that the bulge area of the adult whisker follicle contains pluripotent neural crest stem cells. In culture, beta-galactosidase-positive cells emigrate from bulge explants, identifying them as neural crest-derived cells. When these cells are resuspended and grown in clonal culture, they give rise to colonies that contain multiple differentiated cell types, including neurons, Schwann cells, smooth muscle cells, pigment cells, chondrocytes, and possibly other types of cells. This result provides evidence for the pluripotentiality of the clone-forming cell. Serial cloning showed that bulge-derived neural crest cells undergo self-renewal, which identifies them as stem cells. Pluripotent neural crest cells are also localized in the back skin hair of adult mice. The bulge area of the whisker follicle is surrounded by numerous Merkel cells, which together with innervating nerve endings form slowly adapting mechanoreceptors that transduce steady skin indentation. Merkel cells express beta-galactosidase in double transgenic mice, which confirms their neural crest origin. Taken together, our data indicate that the epidermis of the adult hair follicle contains pluripotent neural crest stem cells, termed epidermal neural crest stem cells (eNCSCs), and one newly identified neural crest derivative, the Merkel cell. The intrinsic high degree of plasticity of eNCSCs and the fact that they are easily accessible in the skin make them attractive candidates for diverse autologous cell therapy strategies.     

Expression of Schwann cell markers by mammalian neural crest cells in vitro

During embryonic development, neural crest cells differentiate into a wide variety of cell types including Schwann cells of the peripheral nervous system. In order to establish when neural crest cells first start to express a Schwann cell phenotype immunocytochemical techniques were used to examine rat premigratory neural crest cell cultures for the presence of Schwann cell markers. Cultures were fixed for immunocytochemistry after culture periods ranging from 1 to 24 days. Neural crest cells were identified by their morphology and any neural tube cells remaining in the cultures were identified by their epithelial morphology and immunocytochemically. As early as 1 to 2 days in culture, approximately one third of the neural crest cells stained with m217c, a monoclonal antibody that appears to recognize the same antigen as rat neural antigen-1 (RAN-1). A similar proportion of cells were immunoreactive in cultures stained with 192-IgG, a monoclonal antibody that recognizes the rat nerve growth factor receptor. The number of immunoreactive cells increased with time in culture. After 16 days in culture, nests of cells, many of which had a bipolar morphology, were present in the area previously occupied by neural crest cells. The cells in the nests were often associated with neurons and were immunoreactive for m217c, 192-IgG and antibody to S-100 protein and laminin, indicating that the cells were Schwann cells. At all culture periods examined, neural crest cells did not express glial fibrillary acidic protein. These results demonstrate that cultured premigratory neural crest cells express early Schwann cell markers and that some of these cells differentiate into Schwann cells. These observations suggest that some neural crest cells in vivo may be committed to forming Schwann cells and will do so provided that they then proceed to encounter the correct environmental cues during embryonic development.     

Inactivation of the beta-catenin gene by Wnt1-Cre-mediated deletion results in dramatic brain malformation and failure of craniofacial development

beta-Catenin is a central component of both the cadherin-catenin cell adhesion complex and the Wnt signaling pathway. We have investigated the role of beta-catenin during brain morphogenesis, by specifically inactivating the beta-catenin gene in the region of Wnt1 expression. To achieve this, mice with a conditional ('floxed') allele of beta-catenin with required exons flanked by loxP recombination sequences were intercrossed with transgenic mice that expressed Cre recombinase under control of Wnt1 regulatory sequences. beta-Catenin gene deletion resulted in dramatic brain malformation and failure of craniofacial development. Absence of part of the midbrain and all of the cerebellum is reminiscent of the conventional Wnt1 knockout (Wnt1(-/-)), suggesting that Wnt1 acts through beta-catenin in controlling midbrain-hindbrain development. The craniofacial phenotype, not observed in embryos that lack Wnt1, indicates a role for beta-catenin in the fate of neural crest cells. Analysis of neural tube explants shows that (beta-catenin is efficiently deleted in migrating neural crest cell precursors. This, together with an increased apoptosis in cells migrating to the cranial ganglia and in areas of prechondrogenic condensations, suggests that removal of beta-catenin affects neural crest cell survival and/or differentiation. Our results demonstrate the pivotal role of beta-catenin in morphogenetic processes during brain and craniofacial development.     

Neural crest cell deficiency of c-myc causes skull and hearing defects

The proto-oncogene c-myc has a central role in multiple processes important for embryonic development, including cell proliferation, growth, apoptosis, and differentiation. We have investigated the role of c-myc in neural crest by using Wnt1-Cre-mediated deletion of a conditional mutation of the c-myc gene. c-myc deficiency in neural crest resulted in viable adult mice that have defects in coat color, skull frontal bone, and middle ear ossicle development. Physiological hearing studies demonstrated a significant hearing deficit in the mutant mice. In this report, we focus on the craniofacial and hearing defects. To further examine neural crest cells affected by c-myc deficiency, we fate mapped Wnt1-Cre expressing neural crest cells using the ROSA26 Cre reporter transgene. The phenotype obtained demonstrates the critical role that c-myc has in neural crest during craniofacial development as well as in providing a model for examining human congenital skull defects and deafness.     

Normal embryonic development and cardiac morphogenesis in mice with Wnt1-Cre-mediated deletion of connexin43

Mice harboring a null mutation in the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) die shortly after birth due to an obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract of the heart. These hearts exhibit prominent pouches at the base of the pulmonary outlet, i.e., morphological abnormalities that were ascribed to Cx43-deficiency in neural crest cells. In order to examine the Cx43 expression pattern in neural crest cells and derived tissues and to test whether neural crest-specific deletion of Cx43 leads to the conotruncal defects seen in Cx43null mice, we ablated Cx43 using a Wnt1-Cre transgene. Deletion of Cx43 was complete and occurred in neural crest cells as well as in neural crest-derived tissues. Nevertheless, hearts of mice lacking Cx43 specifically in neural crest cells were indistinguishable from controls. Thus, the morphological heart abnormalities of Cx43 null mice are most likely not caused by lack of Cx43 in neural crest cells.     

Temporal control of neural crest lineage generation by Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls multiple steps of neural crest development, ranging from neural crest induction, lineage decisions, to differentiation. In mice, conditional β-catenin inactivation in premigratory neural crest cells abolishes both sensory neuron and melanocyte formation. Intriguingly, the generation of melanocytes is also prevented by activation of β-catenin in the premigratory neural crest, which promotes sensory neurogenesis at the expense of other neural crest derivatives. This raises the question of how Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates the formation of distinct lineages from the neural crest. Using various Cre lines to conditionally activate β-catenin in neural crest cells at different developmental stages, we show that neural crest cell fate decisions in vivo are subject to temporal control by Wnt/β-catenin. Unlike in premigratory neural crest, β-catenin activation in migratory neural crest cells promotes the formation of ectopic melanoblasts, while the production of most other lineages is suppressed. Ectopic melanoblasts emerge at sites of neural crest target structures and in many tissues usually devoid of neural crest-derived cells. β-catenin activation at later stages in glial progenitors or in melanoblasts does not lead to surplus melanoblasts, indicating a narrow time window of Wnt/β-catenin responsiveness during neural crest cell migration. Thus, neural crest cells appear to be multipotent in vivo both before and after emigration from the neural tube but adapt their response to extracellular signals in a temporally controlled manner.     

The effects of embryonic retinal neurons on neural crest cell differentiation into Schwann cells

Amongst the many cell types that differentiate from migratory neural crest cells are the Schwann cells of the peripheral nervous system. While it has been demonstrated that Schwann cells will not fully differentiate unless in contact with neurons, the factors that cause neural crest cells to enter the differentiative pathway that leads to Schwann cells are unknown. In a previous paper (Development 105: 251, 1989), we have demonstrated that a proportion of morphologically undifferentiated neural crest cells express the Schwann cell markers 217c and NGF receptor, and later, as they acquire the bipolar morphology typical of Schwann cells in culture, express S-100 and laminin. In the present study, we have grown axons from embryonic retina on neural crest cultures to see whether this has an effect on the differentiation of neural crest cells into Schwann cells. After 4 to 6 days of co-culture, many more cells had acquired bipolar morphology and S-100 staining than in controls with no retinal explant, and most of these cells were within 200 microns of an axon, though not necessarily in contact with axons. However, the number of cells expressing the earliest Schwann cell markers 217c and NGF receptor was not affected by the presence of axons. We conclude that axons produce a factor, which is probably diffusible, and which makes immature Schwann cells differentiate. The factor does not, however, influence the entry of neural crest cells into the earliest stages of the Schwann cell differentiative pathway.