To fabricate artificial nerves with tissue engineering methods.
OBJECTIVE
To fabricate artificial nerves with tissue engineering methods in vitro.


METHODS
Schwann cells (SCs) were cultured and seeded on polyglactin 910 fibers wrapped by biomembrane coated with rat tail glue and laminin for 2 weeks. The absorbability on the scaffolds, growth and migration of SCs were assessed with a light microscope, a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope.


RESULTS
SCs could migrate and proliferate on polyglactin 910 fibers. They were well distributed between scaffolds and absorbed on surface of scaffolds and formed a bungner band, on which SCs produced more matrices. SCs seeded on the biomembrane could also grow well. Axon regeneration in the distal nerve stump was observed at 8 weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Adult SCs can be expanded on coated fibers and biomembrane. Three-dimensional scaffold of SCs has the basic characteristics of artificial nerves. These findings offer a novel method to fabricate artificial nerves with tissue engineering methods for repairing defected long nerves.
Cheng
Biao
B
Department of Orthopaedics, Zhongshan Hospital, Medical Center of Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China. cbiaob@sohu.com
Chen
Zhengrong
Z
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*