title: Combining Gene and Stem Cell Therapy for Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering.
abstract: Despite a substantially increased understanding of neuropathophysiology, insufficient functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury remains a significant clinical challenge. Nerve regeneration following injury is dependent on Schwann cells, the supporting cells in the peripheral nervous system. Following nerve injury, Schwann cells adopt a proregenerative phenotype, which supports and guides regenerating nerves. However, this phenotype may not persist long enough to ensure functional recovery. Tissue-engineered nerve repair devices containing therapeutic cells that maintain the appropriate phenotype may help enhance nerve regeneration. The combination of gene and cell therapy is an emerging experimental strategy that seeks to provide the optimal environment for axonal regeneration and reestablishment of functional circuits. This review aims to summarize current preclinical evidence with potential for future translation from bench to bedside.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London , London, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Busuttil
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Pharmacology, UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London , London, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: Ahad A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rahim
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London , London, United Kingdom .
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D060833:Cellular Microenvironment; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*
keywords: gene therapy; peripheral nerve regeneration; tissue engineering