title: Collagen-coated polylactic-glycolic acid (PLGA) seeded with neural-differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells as a potential nerve conduit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Autologous nerve grafts to bridge nerve gaps pose various drawbacks. Nerve tissue engineering to promote nerve regeneration using artificial neural conduits has emerged as a promising alternative.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop an artificial nerve conduit using collagen-coated polylactic-glycolic acid (PLGA) and to analyse the survivability and propagating ability of the neuro-differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells in this conduit.
  
  
  METHODS
  The PLGA conduit was constructed by dip-molding method and coated with collagen by immersing the conduit in collagen bath. The ultra structure of the conduits were examined before they were seeded with neural-differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells (nMSC) and implanted sub-muscularly on nude mice thighs. The non-collagen-coated PLGA conduit seeded with nMSC and non-seeded non-collagen-coated PLGA conduit were also implanted for comparison purposes. The survivability and propagation ability of nMSC was studied by histological and immunohistochemical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The collagen-coated conduits had a smooth inner wall and a highly porous outer wall. Conduits coated with collagen and seeded with nMSCs produced the most number of cells after 3 weeks. The best conduit based on the number of cells contained within it after 3 weeks was the collagen-coated PLGA conduit seeded with neuro-transdifferentiated cells. The collagen-coated PLGA conduit found to be suitable for attachment, survival and proliferation of the nMSC. Minimal cell infiltration was found in the implanted conduits where nearly all of the cells found in the cell seeded conduits are non-mouse origin and have neural cell markers, which exhibit the biocompatibility of the conduits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The collagen-coated PLGA conduit is biocompatible, non-cytotoxic and suitable for use as artificial nerve conduits.
authors: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Ahmad Fadzli
authors: AF
authors: Sulong
authors: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Nur Hidayah
authors: NH
authors: Hassan
authors: Tissue Engineering Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Ng Min
authors: NM
authors: Hwei
authors: Tissue Engineering Centre, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Yogeswaran
authors: Y
authors: Lokanathan
authors: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Amaramalar Selvi
authors: AS
authors: Naicker
authors: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Shalimar
authors: S
authors: Abdullah
authors: Industrial Technology Division, National Nuclear Agency, Bangi, Malaysia.
authors: Mohd Reusmaazran
authors: MR
authors: Yusof
authors: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Ohnmar
authors: O
authors: Htwe
authors: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Ruszymah Bt Hj
authors: RB
authors: Idrus
authors: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: Nor Hazla Mohamed
authors: NH
authors: Haflah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002470:Cell Survival; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D058953:Neural Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D055495:Neurogenesis; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D013997:Time Factors; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D003094:Collagen