title: Human Schwann cells seeded on a novel collagen-based microstructured nerve guide survive, proliferate, and modify neurite outgrowth.
abstract: A variety of new bioartificial nerve guides have been tested preclinically for their safety and nerve regeneration supporting properties. So far, only a limited number of biomaterials have been tested in humans since the step from preclinical work to a clinical application is challenging. We here present an in vitro model with human Schwann cells (hSCs) as an intermediate step towards clinical application of the nerve guide Perimaix, a collagen-based microstructured 3D scaffold containing numerous longitudinal guidance channels for directed axonal growth. hSCs were seeded onto different prototypes of Perimaix and cultivated for 14 days. hSC adhered to the scaffold, proliferated, and demonstrated healthy Schwann cell morphology (spindle shaped cell bodies, bipolar oriented processes) not only at the surface of the material, but also in the deeper layers of the scaffold. The general well-being of the cells was quantitatively confirmed by low levels of lactate dehydrogenase release into the culture medium. Moreover, conditioned medium of hSCs that were cultivated on Perimaix was able to modify neurite outgrowth from sensory dorsal root ganglion neurons. Overall these data indicate that Perimaix is able to provide a matrix that can promote the attachment and supports process extension, migration, and proliferation of hSC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Hand Surgery and Burn Injuries, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sabien G A
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: van Neerven
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Hand Surgery and Burn Injuries, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1146-0080
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Krings
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroanatomy, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany ; Center for Systems Neuroscience (ZSN), Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, 30625 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Haastert-Talini
authors.affiliation: Core Facility Two-Photon Microscopy, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3535-5293
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vogt
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Sciences, RWTH-Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: René H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Tolba
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Faculty, RWTH Aachen University, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany ; Jülich-Aachen Research Alliance (JARA), Translational Brain Medicine, 52425 Jülich, Germany.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4802-176X
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brook
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Hand Surgery and Burn Injuries, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pallua
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive Surgery, Hand Surgery and Burn Injuries, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bozkurt
mesh_terms: D001369:Axons / Q000502:physiology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D006801:Humans; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D016501:Neurites / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D055495:Neurogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
chemical_list: D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D003094:Collagen