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Pre‐differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells in combination with a microstructured nerve guide supports peripheral nerve regeneration in the rat sciatic nerve model
Author(s) -
Boecker Arne Hendrik,
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
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
european journal of neuroscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.346
H-Index - 206
eISSN - 1460-9568
pISSN - 0953-816X
DOI - 10.1111/ejn.13052
Subject(s) - sciatic nerve , regeneration (biology) , peripheral nerve , mesenchymal stem cell , stromal cell , neuroscience , anatomy , peripheral , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , biology , pathology
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.