Effects of Schwann cells and donor antigen on long-nerve allograft regeneration.
Nerve allotransplantation has been used successfully in human subjects to restore function after traumatic nerve injury and avoid subsequent limb amputation. However, due to the morbidity associated with nonspecific immunosuppression, this reconstructive approach has been limited to patients with particularly severe nerve injuries. It would be desirable to broaden the indications for such procedures through development of less toxic antirejection therapies. A miniature swine model of nerve transplantation was used to investigate the effects of preoperative ultraviolet-B (UV-B)-irradiated donor alloantigen portal venous infusion and injection of cultured major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched Schwann cells into the nerve graft. The transplanted ulnar nerves were harvested at 20 weeks. Histomorphometry showed marked enhancement in nerve regeneration through allografts injected with Schwann cells. Serial mixed lymphocyte assays demonstrated suppression of the recipient immune response to the donor antigen after pretreatment, but no additional neuroregenerative effect of donor alloantigen pretreatment.
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
Michael J
MJ
Brenner
James B
JB
Lowe
Ida K
IK
Fox
Susan E
SE
Mackinnon
Daniel A
DA
Hunter
Michael D
MD
Darcy
James R
JR
Duncan
Patrick
P
Wood
Thalachallour
T
Mohanakumar
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D007519:Isoantigens; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D023421:Models, Animal; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000637:transplantation*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D007519:Isoantigens