Cell activity during peripheral nerve defect repair process using a nerve scaffold

Abstract

Peripheral nerve defects, but not artificial nerves, are repaired by endogenous cells. We examined cell activity during the repair process in the presence of autologous nerves and artificial preparations in order to guide future artificial nerve fabrication. PLGA tubes, nerve scaffolds comprising a PLGA tube plus 6,000 fibroin fibers, or autologous nerves were implanted into 10 mm rat sciatic nerve defects (n = 60 per group). Over a period of 1-20 weeks after nerve grafting, sections were stained and imaged to distinguish the cell types present and we quantified the recovery of motor and sensory function in the surgically implanted limb. We observed a decreasing trend in inflammatory cell and fibroblast counts over time which ranked in magnitude as: (PLGA group > nerve scaffold > autologous nerve> sham) and an opposite trend in Schwann cell counts. Differences in withdrawal time from hot water and static sciatic index (SSI) indicated that, after repair, sensory and motor function were best in the sham group, followed by the autologous group, the nerve scaffold group, and the PLGA group. These findings indicate that the inflammatory reaction is significant in the first two weeks after nerve grafting, followed by the rebirth of fibroblasts and Schwann cells, which guide axon regeneration. This inflammatory response was a fundamental stage of peripheral defect repair, but a weaker inflammatory response corresponded to better recovery of sensorimotor functional.

The role of Gel‐Ppy‐modified nerve conduit on the repair of sciatic nerve defect in rat model

“…With the rapid development of materials science and medical biomaterials application, new methods of tissue repair are constantly being created. Nerve conduct provides a completely new horizon in PNI treatment by connecting two nerve ends and supporting Schwann cell proliferation 9–12 . Synthetic nerve conduits recently have garnered tremendous attention with promising performance 13,14 .…”

“…Nerve conduct provides a completely new horizon in PNI treatment by connecting two nerve ends and supporting Schwann cell proliferation. [9][10][11][12] Synthetic nerve conduits recently have garnered tremendous attention with promising performance. 13,14 However, there is no comparison between autografts and synthetic nerve conduits from a clinical prognosis perspective.…”