IGF-1 and Chondroitinase ABC Augment Nerve Regeneration after Vascularized Composite Limb Allotransplantation.
Impaired nerve regeneration and inadequate recovery of motor and sensory function following peripheral nerve repair remain the most significant hurdles to optimal functional and quality of life outcomes in vascularized tissue allotransplantation (VCA). Neurotherapeutics such as Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and chondroitinase ABC (CH) have shown promise in augmenting or accelerating nerve regeneration in experimental models and may have potential in VCA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low dose IGF-1, CH or their combination (IGF-1+CH) on nerve regeneration following VCA. We used an allogeneic rat hind limb VCA model maintained on low-dose FK506 (tacrolimus) therapy to prevent rejection. Experimental animals received neurotherapeutics administered intra-operatively as multiple intraneural injections. The IGF-1 and IGF-1+CH groups received daily IGF-1 (intramuscular and intraneural injections). Histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate outcomes at five weeks. Overall, compared to controls, all experimental groups showed improvements in nerve and muscle (gastrocnemius) histomorphometry. The IGF-1 group demonstrated superior distal regeneration as confirmed by Schwann cell (SC) immunohistochemistry as well as some degree of extrafascicular regeneration. IGF-1 and CH effectively promote nerve regeneration after VCA as confirmed by histomorphometric and immunohistochemical outcomes.
Department of Plastic Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.|McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Nataliya V
NV
Kostereva
Department of Plastic Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.|Department of Trauma Surgery, East Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai, China.
Yong
Y
Wang
Department of Plastic Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Derek R
DR
Fletcher
Department of Plastic Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Jignesh V
JV
Unadkat
Department of Plastic Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Jonas T
JT
Schnider
Department of Plastic Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Chiaki
C
Komatsu
Department of Plastic Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Yang
Y
Yang
Center for Biological Imaging, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Donna B
DB
Stolz
United States Army Institute for Surgical Research, San Antonio Military Medical Center, 3698 Chambers Road, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America.
Michael R
MR
Davis
Department of Plastic Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.|McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Jan A
JA
Plock
Department of Plastic Surgery, Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.|McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
Vijay S
VS
Gorantla
D064591:Allografts; D000818:Animals; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000294:innervation* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D011917:Rats, Inbred Lew; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000494:pharmacology
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D019765:Chondroitin ABC Lyase; D016559:Tacrolimus