title: Cultured rat neuronal and glial cells entrapped within hydrogel polymer matrices: a potential tool for neural tissue replacement.
abstract: Cultured Schwann cells, neonatal astrocytes or cells dissociated from embryonic cerebral hemispheres were dispersed within poly-[N-(2-hydroxypropyl)-methacrylamide]-based hydrogel matrices by gel entrapment and maintained in vitro for 1-6 days. Glial cells were pre-labelled with Hoechst 33342. Cell differentiation and viability were studied by immunocytochemistry. Up to 15% of Schwann cells initially entrapped within the polymer matrices were immunopositive for the low affinity nerve growth factor receptor, S100, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and laminin; up to 10% of pre-labelled astrocytes were immunopositive for GFAP and laminin. Embryonic neurons displayed immunostaining for neurofilaments. Hydrogels containing entrapped Schwann cells were implanted into the rat neocortex. These polymers supported cellular and axonal ingrowth within parts of the polymer matrix.
authors.affiliation: Biomaterial Institute, Hôpital Saint-François d'Assise, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Woerly
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Plant
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Harvey
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D015194:Diffusion Chambers, Culture; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D007797:Laminin / Q000032:analysis; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D011108:Polymers; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology*
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005609:Free Radicals; D007797:Laminin; D011108:Polymers; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols