Surgical intervention is required to successfully treat severe, large-gap (≥4 cm) peripheral nerve injuries. However, all existing treatments have shortcomings and an alternative to the use of autologous nerves is needed. Human andporcine nerves are physiologically similar, with comparable dimensions and architecture, presence and distribution of Schwann cells, and conserved features of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We report the repair of fully transected radial nerves in 10 Rhesus Macaques using viable, whole sciatic nerve from genetically engineered (GalT-KO), designated pathogen free (DPF) porcine donors. This resulted in the regeneration of the transected nerve, recovery of wrist extension function, distal muscle reinnervation, and recovery of nerve conduction velocities and compound muscle action potentials statistically equivalent to autologous controls. We also demonstrate the absence of immune rejection, systemic porcine cell migration, and detectable residual porcine material. Our ndings support the safety and e cacy of viable porcine nerve transplants, suggest the interchangeable therapeutic use of crossspecies cells, and highlight the broader clinical potential of xenotransplantation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.