Figure 1.

Schematic of experimental design. Human iPSC-derived sensory neurons were generated following a 14-day differentiation protocol based on small molecules. Rat Schwann cells were added and co-cultured with the human neurons in Schwann cell basal medium for 1 week to allow engagement with axons. Next, co-cultures were switched to a myelination medium consisting of N2 neuronal medium supplemented with Matrigel^®, NGF and ascorbic acid, which supported the co-culture for very long periods (at least 12 months). Assays to evaluate the neuregulin-ErbB signalling pathways were performed throughout the myelination period. When added to mature myelinated co-cultures, anti-disialosyl antibodies induced demyelination demonstrating the potential of this system to model acquired demyelinating neuropathies. SC = Schwann cell.