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Schwann‐cell injection of cold‐preserved nerve allografts
Author(s) -
Fox Ida K.,
Schwetye Kate E.,
Keune Jason D.,
Brenner Michael J.,
Yu Jeffrey W.,
Hunter Daniel A.,
Wood Patrick M.,
Mackin Susan E.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.20152
Subject(s) - isograft , schwann cell , medicine , regeneration (biology) , microsurgery , peripheral nerve , allotransplantation , nerve guidance conduit , transplantation , epineurial repair , surgery , anatomy , pathology , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
This study investigated the effects of prolonged cold preservation and Schwann‐cell injection on nerve regeneration through peripheral nerve allografts. Forty rats were randomized to the following groups: group I, isograft; group II, allograft; group III, isograft + Schwann cells; group IV, 6‐week cold‐preserved allograft; and group V, 6‐week cold‐preserved allograft with Schwann cells. Nerves from all animals were harvested at 4 weeks after surgery for histological and histomorphometric analysis. Untreated allograft recipients demonstrated poor nerve regeneration and histological evidence of rejection. The remaining four groups showed robust regeneration without evidence of rejection. In a short nerve allograft model, prolonged cold preservation of allografts supported robust nerve regeneration, but the addition of cultured Schwann cells conferred no additional benefit for nerve regeneration. Further work in large animals is needed to establish the role for exogenous Schwann cells in nerve allotransplantation. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 25:502–507, 2005.