Efficacy of Deferoxamine Mesylate in Serum and Serum-Free Media: Adult Ventral Root Schwann Cell Survival Following Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Cell Death

This study investigates how to protect Schwann cells (SCs) from damage in spinal cord injuries, focusing on a drug called deferoxamine mesylate (DFO). SC transplantation shows promise in treating spinal cord injury as a pro-regenerative agent. The research compares the effectiveness of DFO in both serum-containing and serum-free environments, which are relevant to clinical transplant conditions. We examined the efficacy of DFO in both serum-containing and serum-free conditions. The study found that serum-free conditions alone can protect SCs, making DFO less critical in such environments. Interestingly, CDM alone was sufficient to promote SC survival under H2O2-induced cell death.

• 1
  DFO increases Schwann cell survival in serum-containing medium following hydrogen peroxide challenge.
• 2
  Serum-free medium (CDM) protects Schwann cells against H2O2-induced cell death without needing DFO.
• 3
  Hif1α expression is consistent in serum-free conditions, regardless of DFO pre-treatment or H2O2 challenge, but inconsistent in serum-containing conditions.