title: Nerve allografts supplemented with schwann cells overexpressing glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We sought to determine whether supplementation of acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) with Schwann cells overexpressing GDNF (G-SCs) would enhance functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  SCs expanded in vitro were infected with a lentiviral vector to induce GDNF overexpression. Wild-type SCs (WT-SCs) and G-SCs were seeded into ANAs used to repair a 14-mm nerve gap defect. Animals were harvested after 6 and 12 weeks for histomorphometric and muscle force analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 6 weeks, histomorphometry revealed that ANAs supplemented with G-SCs promoted similar regeneration compared with isograft at midgraft. However, G-SCs failed to promote regeneration into the distal stump. At 12 weeks, ANAs with G-SCs had lower maximum and specific force production compared with controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined results suggest that consistent overexpression of GDNF by G-SCs trapped axons in the graft and prevented functional regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Santosa
authors.forename: Nithya J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Jesuraj
authors.forename: Andreu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viader
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: MacEwan
authors.forename: Piyaraj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Newton
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mackinnon
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D009417:Nerve Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*
chemical_list: D051100:Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor