Pre‐differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells in combination with a microstructured nerve guide supports peripheral nerve regeneration in the rat sciatic nerve model. (5th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boecker, Arne Hendrik; van Neerven, Sabien Geraldine Antonia; Scheffel, Juliane; Tank, Julian; Altinova, Haktan; Seidensticker, Katrin; Deumens, Ronald; Tolba, Rene; Weis, Joachim; Brook, Gary Anthony; Pallua, Norbert; Bozkurt, Ahmet
• Is Part Of: European journal of neuroscience. Volume 43:Number 3(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 404
• Page End: 416
• Publication Date: 2015-10-05
• Subjects: mesenchymal stromal cells -- nerve guide -- nerve reconstruction -- peripheral nerve injury; Nervous system -- Periodicals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ejn.13052
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-816X

Abstract

Abstract: Many bioartificial nerve guides have been investigated pre‐clinically for their nerve regeneration‐supporting function, often in comparison to autologous nerve transplantation, which is still regarded as the current clinical gold standard. Enrichment of these scaffolds with cells intended to support axonal regeneration has been explored as a strategy to boost axonal regeneration across these nerve guides Ansselin et al . (1998). In the present study, 20 mm rat sciatic nerve defects were implanted with a cell‐seeded microstructured collagen nerve guide (Perimaix) or an autologous nerve graft. Under the influence of seeded, pre‐differentiated mesenchymal stromal cells, axons regenerated well into the Perimaix nerve guide. Myelination‐related parameters, like myelin sheath thickness, benefitted from an additional seeding with pre‐differentiated mesenchymal stromal cells. Furthermore, both the number of retrogradely labelled sensory neurons and the axon density within the implant were elevated in the cell‐seeded scaffold group with pre‐differentiated mesenchymal stromal cells. However, a pre‐differentiation had no influence on functional recovery. An additional cell seeding of the Perimaix nerve guide with mesenchymal stromal cells led to an extent of functional recovery, independent of the differentiation status, similar to autologous nerve transplantation. These findings encourage further investigations on pre‐differentiated mesenchymal stromal cells as a cellular support for peripheral nerve regeneration. Abstract : The Perimaix nerve guide was seeded with pre‐differentiated mesenchymal stromal cells and presented well regenerated axon for histomorphological analysis. However, the extent of functional recovery is independent from the differentiation status of mesenchymal stromal cells.