title: Engineered neural tissue with Schwann cell differentiated human dental pulp stem cells: potential for peripheral nerve repair?
abstract: Despite the spontaneous regenerative capacity of the peripheral nervous system, large gap peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) require bridging strategies. The limitations and suboptimal results obtained with autografts or hollow nerve conduits in the clinic urge the need for alternative treatments. Recently, we have described promising neuroregenerative capacities of Schwann cells derived from differentiated human dental pulp stem cells (d-hDPSCs) in vitro. Here, we extended the in vitro assays to show the pro-angiogenic effects of d-hDPSCs, such as enhanced endothelial cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. In addition, for the first time we evaluated the performance of d-hDPSCs in an in vivo rat model of PNI. Eight weeks after transplantation of NeuraWrap™ conduits filled with engineered neural tissue (EngNT) containing aligned d-hDPSCs in 15-mm rat sciatic nerve defects, immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural analysis revealed ingrowing neurites, myelinated nerve fibres and blood vessels along the construct. Although further research is required to optimize the delivery of this EngNT, our findings suggest that d-hDPSCs are able to exert a positive effect in the regeneration of nerve tissue in vivo. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Biophysics Group, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building C, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Kathleen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sanen
authors.affiliation: Morphology Group, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building C, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Martens
authors.affiliation: Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gordon Street, London, WC1H 0AH, UK.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Georgiou
authors.affiliation: Biophysics Group, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building C, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ameloot
authors.affiliation: Morphology Group, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan Building C, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lambrichts
authors.affiliation: Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering, UCL Eastman Dental Institute, University College London, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London, WC1X 8LD, UK.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D064591:Allografts; D000818:Animals; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002648:Child; D003782:Dental Pulp / Q000166:cytology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D009186:Myelin Sheath / Q000378:metabolism; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000502:physiology*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: Schwann cells; angiogenesis; human dental pulp stem cells; nerve tissue engineering; neurite regeneration; peripheral nerve injury