Delivery of adipose‐derived stem cells in poloxamer hydrogel improves peripheral nerve regeneration

Abstract

Delivery of ASCs in poloxamer addresses multiple facets of the complexity of nerve/muscle unit regeneration, representing a promising avenue for further study. Muscle Nerve 58: 251-260, 2018.

Differentiated adipose‐derived stem cells promote peripheral nerve regeneration

“…A common aspect of these reports is that better nerve regeneration is demonstrated through intervention, by introducing cells and devising structures for bridging, as compared with that in the nonintervention groups. However, in studies comparing results with autologous nerve grafting, reports have indicated that bridging with artificial material is difficult to compare with autologous nerve grafting 14–18,20 . In our study, axonal regeneration using a PGA‐c tube was further promoted by injecting dADSCs, but there was a significant difference in peripheral muscle innervation compared to that observed with autologous nerve grafting, as reported previously.…”

“…In our study, axonal regeneration using a PGA‐c tube was further promoted by injecting dADSCs, but there was a significant difference in peripheral muscle innervation compared to that observed with autologous nerve grafting, as reported previously. There are a few reports evaluating nerve regeneration using a combination of tubulization and ADSCs in the critical gap model, 14,20 the results of which are comparable with our findings, even though our intervention procedure was simpler and easier to use in clinical applications. Peripheral nerve regeneration was clearly promoted by dADSCs in the critical nerve gap model, but it is not sufficient for clinical applications in terms of functional recovery.…”

Adipose‐derived stem cells: From mice to man

“…As they describe in their article in this issue, Allbright et al . carried out a well‐constructed study investigating the potential of undifferentiated ADSCs (uADSC) delivered through poloxamer hydrogel to promote reinnervation in a rat sciatic nerve injury model.…”

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that ADSCs can express nerve growth factors and can transform to a Schwann cell phenotype, resulting in greater axonal regeneration in animal models of peripheral nerve injury. [9][10][11][12] As they describe in their article in this issue, Allbright et al 13 carried out a well-constructed study investigating the potential of undifferentiated ADSCs (uADSC) delivered through poloxamer hydrogel to promote reinnervation in a rat sciatic nerve injury model. In addition to already being US Food and Drug Administration approved for clinical use, the poloxamer hydrogel has other useful attributes.…”

“…Many studies, such as this one by Allbright and colleagues, used immunocompromised mouse models. 13 This leaves open the possibility that the mice in the control group were not able to mount a vigorous response to nerve injury because their immune system was compromised, and they lacked the growth-promoting inflammatory response that normally follows a peripheral nerve injury. Although a few groups have used immune competent models, adoption of these models has not been widespread.…”