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Schwann cell-seeded scaffold with longitudinally oriented micro-channels for reconstruction of sciatic nerve in rats

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Abstract

To provide a more permissive environment for axonal regeneration, Schwann cells (SCs) were introduced into a collagen-chitosan scaffold with longitudinally oriented micro-channels (L-CCH). The SC-seeded scaffold was then used for reconstruction of a 15-mm-long sciatic nerve defect in rats. The axonal regeneration and functional recovery were examined by a combination of walking track analysis, electrophysiological assessment, Fluoro-Gold retrograde tracing, as well as morphometric analyses to both regenerated axons and target muscles. The findings showed that SCs adhered and migrated into the L-CCH scaffold and displayed a longitudinal arrangement in vitro. Axonal regeneration as well as functional recovery was in the similar range between SCs-seeded scaffold and autograft groups, which were superior to those in L-CCH scaffold alone group. These indicate that the SCs-seeded L-CCH scaffold, which resembles the microstructure as well as the permissive environment of native peripheral nerves, holds great promise in nerve regeneration therapies.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 30770571 and No. 30973052) and the National Hi-Tech Research and Development Program of China (863) (Grant No. 2002AA216101).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China

    Yong-Guang Zhang, Feng-Yu Qi, Xue-Yu Hu, Yu-Qing Wang, Li-Feng Lan, Jing-Hui Huang & Zhuo-Jing Luo

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou, China

    Yong-Guang Zhang

  3. Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou, China

    Qing-Song Sheng

  4. Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Basic Medical Science College, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China

    Wei Zhao

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  1. Yong-Guang Zhang
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Correspondence to Jing-Hui Huang or Zhuo-Jing Luo.

Additional information

Yong-Guang Zhang, Qing-Song Sheng, and Feng-Yu Qi contributed equally to this study.

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Zhang, YG., Sheng, QS., Qi, FY. et al. Schwann cell-seeded scaffold with longitudinally oriented micro-channels for reconstruction of sciatic nerve in rats. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 24, 1767–1780 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-013-4917-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-013-4917-2

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