title: Schwann cells seeded in acellular nerve grafts improve functional recovery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluated whether Schwann cells (SCs) from different nerve sources transplanted into cold-preserved acellular nerve grafts (CP-ANGs) would improve functional regeneration compared with nerve isografts.
  
  
  METHODS
  SCs isolated and expanded from motor and sensory branches of rat femoral and sciatic nerves were seeded into 14mm CP-ANGs. Growth factor expression, axonal regeneration, and functional recovery were evaluated in a 14-mm rat sciatic injury model and compared with isografts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 14 days, motor or sensory-derived SCs increased expression of growth factors in CP-ANGs versus isografts. After 42 days, histomorphometric analysis found CP-ANGs with SCs and isografts had similar numbers of regenerating nerve fibers. At 84 days, muscle force generation was similar for CP-ANGs with SCs and isografts. SC source did not affect nerve fiber counts or muscle force generation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCs transplanted into CP-ANGs increase functional regeneration to isograft levels; however SC nerve source did not have an effect.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, Campus Box 1097, One Brookings Drive, St. Louis, Missouri, 63130, USA.
authors.forename: Nithya J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Jesuraj
authors.forename: Katherine B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Santosa
authors.forename: Matthew R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Macewan
authors.forename: Amy M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kasukurthi
authors.forename: Wilson Z
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Ray
authors.forename: Eric R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Flagg
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Hunter
authors.forename: Gregory H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Borschel
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Mackinnon
authors.forename: Shelly E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Sakiyama-Elbert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005267:Femoral Nerve / Q000166:cytology; D064596:Isografts; D008297:Male; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000637:transplantation*; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology / Q000293:injuries*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D020932:Nerve Growth Factor
keywords: cell transplantation; growth factor; nerve regeneration; peripheral nerve injury; reinnervation