BACKGROUND:: Studies have shown that the repair of nerve defects by rabbit Schwann cells combined with swine small intestinal submucosa composite have obtained good results. OBJECTIVE:: To investigate the biocompatibility of in vitro co-culture of rabbit Schwann cells and swine small intestinal submucosa. METHODS:: Schwann cells from New Zealand white rabbits were separated and cultured by step-by-step enzyme digestive method. Passage 3 Schwann cells were selected and seeded on swine small intestinal submucosa. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:: Hematoxylin-eosin staining: After Schwann cells co-cultured with small intestinal submucosa for 24 hours, cells showed good adhesion. Some cells displayed monolayer growth on the surface of stroma in swine small intestinal submucosa; besides, the cells were flat, long spindle-shaped and connected closely with each other. After 2 weeks, the cells showed multilayer growth. Scanning electron microscope: After 2 days, Schwann cells adhered on the surface of co-cultured small intestinal submucosa and stretched. The cells displayed spindle-shaped, and stretched out two slender processes, besides, the adjacent cell processes were connected end to end and formed a chain of cells or fusion or cross-link or parallel growth in the fiber side. After 1 week, the cells proliferated greatly and showed a beaded chain adhered on the material, which was similar to the Bunger band of nerve. These findings suggest that small intestinal submucosa and Schwann cells have good compatibility.Wei RQ, Cao XH, Tu DH. Rabbit Schwann cells co-cultured with swine small intestinal submucosa in vitro. Zhongguo Zuzhi Gongcheng Yanjiu. 2012;16(34): 6349-6353. [http://www.crter.org/crter-2012-qikanquanwen.html](Figure is included in full-text article.)