title: Collagen scaffolds modified with CNTF and bFGF promote facial nerve regeneration in minipigs.
abstract: Most experiments of peripheral nerve repair after injury have been conducted in the rodent model but the translation of findings from rodent studies to clinical practice is needed partly because the nerve regeneration must occur over much longer distances in humans than in rodents. The reconstruction of long distance nerve injuries still represents a great challenge to surgeons who is engaged in peripheral nerve surgery. Here we used the functional nerve conduit (collagen scaffolds incorporated with neurocytokines CNTF and bFGF) to bridge a 35 mm long facial nerve gap in minipig models. At 6 months after surgery, electrophysiology assessment and histological examination were conducted to evaluate the regeneration of peripheral facial nerves. Based on functional and histological observations, the results indicated that the functional collagen scaffolds promoted nerve reconstruction. The number and arrangement of regenerated nerve fibers, myelination, and nerve function reconstruction was better in the CNTF + bFGF conduit group than the single factor CNTF or bFGF conduit group. The functional composite conduit, which exhibited favorable mechanical properties, may promote facial nerve regeneration in minipigs effectively.
authors.affiliation: State key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 Nanyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China; Reproductive and Genetic Center of National Research Institute for Family Planning, Beijing 100081, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.affiliation: School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10050, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: State key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 Nanyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China; Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.
authors.forename: Danqing
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.affiliation: State key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 Nanyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China.
authors.forename: Zhifeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: State key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 Nanyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China.
authors.forename: Xianglin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China.
authors.forename: Wenyong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China.
authors.forename: Depeng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kou
authors.affiliation: School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10050, China.
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: State key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 Nanyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China.
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10050, China.
authors.forename: Zhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: State key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 Nanyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China.
authors.forename: Jiayin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 10050, China. Electronic address: panjuli@163.com.
authors.forename: Juli
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: State key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 Nanyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China. Electronic address: jwdai@genetics.ac.cn.
authors.forename: Jianwu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003094:Collagen / Q000494:pharmacology*; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D005154:Facial Nerve / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007382:Intermediate Filaments / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2; D003094:Collagen
keywords: Facial nerve regeneration; Functional collagen scaffold; Minipig; Neurocytokines