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A new type of Schwann cell graft transplantation to promote optic nerve regeneration in adult rats
Author(s) -
Fang Yuan,
Mo Xiaofen,
Guo Wenyi,
Zhang Meng,
Zhang Peihua,
Wang Yan,
Rong Xianfang,
Tian Jie,
Sun Xinghuai
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.835
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-7005
pISSN - 1932-6254
DOI - 10.1002/term.264
Subject(s) - ciliary neurotrophic factor , nerve guidance conduit , regeneration (biology) , neurotrophic factors , transplantation , schwann cell , optic nerve , glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor , peripheral nervous system , chemistry , anatomy , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , surgery , central nervous system , neuroscience , receptor
Like other parts of the central nervous system, the adult mammalian optic nerve is difficult to regenerate after injury. Transplantation of the peripheral nerve or a Schwann cell (SC) graft can promote injured axonal regrowth. We tried to develop a new type of tissue‐engineered SC graft that consisted of SCs seeded onto a poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid)/chitosan conduit. Meanwhile, SCs were transfected along the ciliary neurotrophic factor ( CNTF ) gene in vitro by electroporation to increase their neurotrophic effect. Four weeks after transplantation, GAP‐43 labelled regenerating axons were found in the SC grafts, and axons in the CNTF–SC graft were longer than those in the SC graft. Tissue‐engineered SC grafts can provide a feasible environment for optic nerve regeneration and may become an alternative for bridging damaged nerves and repairing nerve defects in the future. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.