title: FGF1 containing biodegradable device with peripheral nerve grafts induces corticospinal tract regeneration and motor evoked potentials after spinal cord resection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Repairing the spinal cord with peripheral nerve grafts (PNG) and adjuvant acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF1) has previously resulted in partial functional recovery. To aid microsurgical placement of PNGs, a graft holder device was previously developed by our group. In hope for a translational development we now investigate a new biodegradable graft holder device containing PNGs with or without FGF1.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rats were subjected to a T11 spinal cord resection with subsequent repair using twelve white-to-grey matter oriented PNGs prepositioned in a biodegradable device with or without slow release of FGF1. Animals were evaluated with BBB-score, electrophysiology and immunohistochemistry including anterograde BDA tracing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Motor evoked potentials (MEP) in the lower limb reappeared at 20 weeks after grafting. MEP responses were further improved in the group treated with adjuvant FGF1. Reappearance of MEPs was paralleled by NF-positive fibers and anterogradely traced corticospinal fibers distal to the injury. BBB-scores improved in repaired animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results continue to support that the combination of PNGs and FGF1 may be a regeneration strategy to reinnervate the caudal spinal cord. The new device induced robust MEPs augmented by FGF1, and may be considered for translational research.
authors: Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Nordblom
authors: Jonas K E
authors: JK
authors: Persson
authors: Jonas
authors: J
authors: Aberg
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Blom
authors: Håkan
authors: H
authors: Engqvist
authors: Hjalmar
authors: H
authors: Brismar
authors: Johan
authors: J
authors: Sjödahl
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Josephson
authors: Arvid
authors: A
authors: Frostell
authors: Sebastian
authors: S
authors: Thams
authors: Lou
authors: L
authors: Brundin
authors: Mikael
authors: M
authors: Svensson
authors: Per
authors: P
authors: Mattsson
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000818:Animals; D004525:Efferent Pathways / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000294:innervation / Q000502:physiology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D056325:Neuronal Tract-Tracers; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000637:transplantation*; D011712:Pyramidal Tracts / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology / Q000601:surgery*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013623:Tail / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D056325:Neuronal Tract-Tracers; D016220:Fibroblast Growth Factor 1