Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a population of human Schwann cells. The method comprises (a) incubating human fascicles with one or more mitogens for a priming period of three to fourteen days to produce primed fascicles, (b) incubating the primed fascicles with one or more tissue dissociation enzymes to produce primed Schwann cells, (c) culturing the primed Schwann cells at an initial Po density for a period of time to achieve no greater than 90% confluence, (d) expanding the population of Schwann cells by culturing the Schwann cells at an initial passage density for a period of time to achieve no greater than 90% confluence for at least two passages, and harvesting the population of human Schwann cells. The invention further provides an isolated population of Schwann cells obtained by the method described herein. In various aspects of the invention, the isolated population is provided in a composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing a population of human Schwann cells. The method comprises (a) incubating human fascicles with one or more mitogens for a priming period of three to fourteen days to produce primed fascicles, (b) incubating the primed fascicles with one or more tissue dissociation enzymes to produce primed Schwann cells, (c) culturing the primed Schwann cells at an initial Po density for a period of time to achieve no greater than 90% confluence, (d) expanding the population of Schwann cells by culturing the Schwann cells at an initial passage density for a period of time to achieve no greater than 90% confluence for at least two passages, and harvesting the population of human Schwann cells. The invention further provides an isolated population of Schwann cells obtained by the method described herein. In various aspects of the invention, the isolated population is provided in a composition.