Membrane progesterone receptor α (mPRα/PAQR7) promotes migration, proliferation and BDNF release in human Schwann cell-like differentiated adipose stem cells

Membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs) were recently found to be present and active in Schwann cells, where they have a potentially pro-regenerative activity. In this study, we investigated the role of mPRs in human adipose stem cells (ASC) differentiated into Schwann cell-like cells (SCL-ASC), which represent a promising alternative to Schwann cells for peripheral nerve regeneration. Our findings show that mPRs are present both in undifferentiated and differentiated ASC, and that the differentiation protocol upregulates mPR expression. Activation of mPR alpha promoted cell migration and differentiation in SCL-ASC, alongside with changes in cell morphology and mPR alpha localization. Moreover, it increased the expression and release of BDNF, a neurotrophin with pro-regenerative activity. Further analysis showed that Src and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways are involved in mPR alpha activity in SCL-ASC. These findings suggest that mPR alpha could play a pro-regenerative role in SCL-ASC and may be a promising target for the promotion of peripheral nerve regeneration.

Automated summary

The study found that membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs) play a role in promoting cell migration, differentiation, and the release of BDNF in human adipose stem cells differentiated into Schwann cell-like cells. Further analysis showed that the activity of mPR alpha in SCL-ASC is regulated by Src and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. These findings suggest that mPR alpha could serve as a promising target for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration.