title: Supraorganized collagen enhances Schwann cell reactivity and organization in vitro.
abstract: We investigated the reactivity and expression of basal lamina collagen by Schwann cells (SCs) cultivated on a supraorganized bovine-derived collagen substrate. SC cultures were obtained from sciatic nerves of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats and seeded on 24-well culture plates containing collagen substrate. The homogeneity of the cultures was evaluated with an SC marker antibody (anti-S-100). After 1 week, the cultures were fixed and processed for immunocytochemistry by using antibodies against type IV collagen, S-100 and p75NTR (pan neurotrophin receptor) and for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Positive labeling with antibodies to the cited molecules was observed, indicating that the collagen substrate stimulates SC alignment and adhesion (collagen IV labeling - organized collagen substrate: 706.33 ± 370.86, non-organized collagen substrate: 744.00 ± 262.09; S-100 labeling - organized collagen: 3809.00 ± 120.28, non-organized collagen: 3026.00 ± 144.63, P < 0.05) and reactivity (p75NTR labeling - organized collagen: 2156.33 ± 561.78, non-organized collagen: 1424.00 ± 405.90, P < 0.05; means ± standard error of the mean in absorbance units). Cell alignment and adhesion to the substrate were confirmed by SEM analysis. The present results indicate that the collagen substrate with an aligned suprastructure, as seen by polarized light microscopy, provides an adequate scaffold for SCs, which in turn may increase the efficiency of the nerve regenerative process after in vivo repair.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Regeneração Nervosa, Departamento de Anatomia, Biologia Celular e Fisiologia e Biofísica, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, SP, Brasil.
authors.forename: L G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Maturana
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Zanon
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pierucci
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Vidal
authors.forename: A L R
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Oliveira
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D016764:Cell Polarity; D048430:Cell Shape; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D024141:Collagen Type IV; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011108:Polymers; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D009418:S100 Proteins; C068313:Ngfr protein, rat