Experimental study on repair of the facial nerve with Schwann cells transfected with GDNF genes and PLGA conduits.
CONCLUSIONS
Schwann cells transfected by GDNF genes + PLGA were superior to Schwann cells + PLGA and direct anastomesis. This is a new and effective strategy for repair of facial nerve defects.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of bioactive artificial nerve conduits in the repair of facial nerve defects in Sprague-Dawley rats.


METHODS
Schwann cells were harvested and transfected with PcDNA3.1 (+)/GDNF. After injection with Schwann cells, the conduits were cultured in the culture medium for 2 weeks. Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into three groups (A, B, and C), which were treated as follows: A, direct anastomesis; B, Schwann cells + PLGA conduits; C, Schwann cells transfected by GDNF genes + PLGA conduits. General observation, electrophysiological study, histological study, and image analysis were performed 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
The recovery of nerve regeneration and electrophysiological results in group C were superior to those in groups A and B; the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.01).
Zhou
Liang
L
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Fudan University Affiliated Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, Shanghai, China. zhlwc@online.sh.cn
Du
Huai-Dong
HD
Tian
Hong-Bin
HB
Li
Cai
C
Tian
Jie
J
Jiang
Jack J
JJ
D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D020220:Facial Nerve Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014162:Transfection
D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid