[Research about schwann cells and PLGA implanted to rat transected spinal cord].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the recovery of rat transected spinal cord injury after implantation of Schwann cells combined with poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA).


METHODS
Schwann cells were expanded, co-cultured with PLGA for 9 days in vitro, and then analyzed with scanning electron microscope (SEM). Rat spinal cord at the level of T(9) was transected. Schwann cells labeled with BrdU and PLGA scaffold were implanted to injury site. After 1, 3, 6 months, BrdU/MBP immunohistochemistry double staining, semi-thin sections stained thionin and ultra-thin section were performed to investigate myelin renew. BBB open field locomotion, motor evoked potential (MEP), compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) were recorded.


RESULTS
Schwann cells grew well on PLGA under SEM. BrdU/MBP double positive cells would been seen, remyelination was thin and formed by Schwann cells at 6 months later under electron microscope (EM). BBB behavioral tests revealed no significant difference in recovery comparing with experiment group and control group. The results of MEP, CMAP and SEP showed no significant improvement in the conduction of spinal cord.


CONCLUSIONS
There are the compatibility between Schwann cells and PLGA. Although remyelination was found in morphology, function conduction of spinal cord failed to be established.
Wan
Hong
H
Beijing Neurosurgical Institute Capital Medicine University, Beijing 100050, China. wanhong50@hotmail.com
Li
De-zhi
DZ
Yang
Fei
F
Li
Jun-hua
JH
Wang
Shen-guo
SG
Wang
Zhong-cheng
ZC
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000637:transplantation* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods
D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid