[An experimental study on repair of peripheral nerve injury by transplantation of microcapsulated NGF-expressing NIH 3T3 cells].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the feasibility of promoting nerve regeneration by using microcapsulated NGF-expressing cells transplantation.


METHODS
The plasmid pcDNA3. 1 + /NGF, containing rat NGF gene, was transfected into the NIH 3T3 cell by using FuGENE6 transfection reagent. The genetically modified cells expressing NGF gene were enclosed within the alginate-polylysine-alginate (APA) microcapsules and then cultured in vitro. The growth and NGF secretion of the cells were measured periodically. At the same time, these microcapsulated NGF-expressing cells were transplanted into the injured sciatic nerve. The regeneration and functional recovery of the nerve were evaluated in 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after the operation.


RESULTS
The microcapsulated cells had survived and secreted the NGF in three months in vitro. In the group with microcapsulated NGF-expressing cells, the number of the regenerated axons was in large and the nerve fibers were arranged regularly. Compared to other groups, there was less scar , edema and monocytes found at the stoma in the goup. The moter nerve conductive velocity, nerve muscle-action potential and SFI were improved.


CONCLUSIONS
The microcapsulated NGF-expressing cells could significantly enhance the nerve regeneration and reduce inflammatory response of xenograft.
Song
Mei
M
Department of Plastic Surgery, Tangdu Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi' an 710038, China.
Chen
Shao-zong
SZ
Han
Hua
H
Xiong
Ying
Y
D000818:Animals; D017690:Cell Transplantation; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics*; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014162:Transfection
D020932:Nerve Growth Factor