Rat Schwann cells in bioresorbable nerve guides to promote and accelerate axonal regeneration.
A micro-structured, biodegradable, semipermeable hollow nerve guide implant was developed to bridge nerve lesions. Quantitative comparison of cell migration and axonal growth using time lapse video recording in vitro revealed that axons grow eight times faster than neuritotrophic Schwann cells migrate. To accelerate regeneration, purified Schwann cells are best injected into nerve guides before implantation. Nerve guides made from resorbable poly-lactide-co-glycolide support Schwann cell attachment, cell survival, and axonal outgrowth in vitro. The therapeutic concept aims at the development of an 'intelligent neuroprosthesis' that first mediates regeneration and then disappears.
Schlosshauer
Burkhard
B
NMI Naturwissenschaftliches und Medizinisches Institut, Universität Tübingen, Markwiesenstrasse 55, D-72770, Reutlingen, Germany. schlosshauer@nmi.de
Müller
Erhard
E
Schröder
Bernhard
B
Planck
Heinrich
H
Müller
Hans-Werner
HW
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D011091:Polyesters; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters; C033616:poly(lactide)