ObjectiveTo evaluate the effect of using Schwann-like cells derived from human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUCBMSCs) as the seed cells to repair large sciatic nerve defect in rats so as to provide the experimental evidence for clinical application of hUCBMSCs. MethodsFourty-five male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats in SPF grade, weighing 200-250 g, were selected. The hUCBMSCs were harvested and cultured from umbilical cord blood using lymphocyte separating and high molecular weight hydroxyethyl starch, and then was identified. The hUCBMSCs of 3rd generation were induced to Schwann-like cells, and then was identified by chemical derivatization combined with cytokine. The acellular nerve basal membrane conduit was prepared as scaffold material by the sciatic nerve of SD rats through repeated freezing, thawing, and washing. The tissue engineered nerve was prepared after 7 days of culturing Schwann-like cells (1×107 cells/mL) on the acellular nerve basal membrane conduit using the multi-point injection. The 15 mm sciatic nerve defect model was established in 30 male SD rats, which were randomly divided into 3 groups (10 rats each group). Defect was repaired with tissue engineered nerve in group A, with acellular nerve basal membrane conduit in group B, and with autologous sciatic nerve in group C. The nerve repair was evaluated through general observation, sciatic function index (SFI), nerve electrophysiology, weight of gastrocnemius muscle, and Masson staining after operation. ResultsThe hUCBMSCs showed higher expression of surface markers of mesenchymal stem cells, and Schwann-like cells showed positive expression of glia cell specific markers such as S100b, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and P75. At 8 weeks after operation, the acellular nerve basal membrane conduit had no necrosis and liquefaction, with mild adhesion, soft texture, and good continuity at nerve anastomosis site in group A; group B had similar appearance to group A; adhesion of group C was milder than that of groups A and B, with smooth anastomotic stoma and no enlargement, and the color was similar to that of normal nerve. SFI were gradually decreased, group C was significantly greater than groups A and B, group A was significantly greater than group B (P<0.05). The compound action potential could be detected in anastomotic site of 3 groups, group C was significantly greater than groups A and B, and group A was significantly greater than group B in amplitude and conduction velocity (P<0.05). Atrophy was observed in the gastrocnemius of 3 groups; wet weight's recovery rate of the gastrocnemius of group C was significantly greater than that of groups A and B, and group A was significantly greater than group B (P<0.05). Masson staining showed that large nerve fibers regeneration was found in group A, which had dense and neat arrangement with similar fiber diameter. The density and diameter of medullated fibers, thickness of myelinated axon, and axon diameter of group C were significantly greater than those of groups A and B, and group A was significantly greater than group B (P<0.05). ConclusionTissue engineered nerves from hUCBMSCs-derived Schwann-like cells can effectively repair large defects of the sciatic nerve. hUCBMSCs-derived Schwann-like cells can be used as a source of seed cells in nerve tissue engineering.