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Schwann cell therapy as a novel strategy to enhance nerve regeneration in Composite Tissue Allotransplantation.
Komli-Kofi Atsina, Mahan Ghaznavi MD, Timothy Ng, Sami Tuffaha, Meghan Quigley, Yong Wang MD, Rishi Jindal MD, Donna Stolz PhD, W.P. Andrew Lee MD, Gerald Brandacher, MD
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh,
2010-04-01
Presenter: Komli-Kofi Atsina
Affidavit:
Director Name:
Author Category: Resident/Fellow
Presentation Category: Basic Science Research
Abstract Category: Hand
Introduction
Nerve regeneration and functional recovery are essential to a broader applicability of composite tissue allotransplantation (CTA). Schwann cells (SC) are key players in this process of motor and sensory neuroregeneration and therefore an appealing tool to improve nerve regeneration after CTA.
Material and Methods
SC were obtained from sciatic nerves of Lewis rats. Following isolation and culture SC were transfected with a retroviral reporter vector containing humanized GFP. Prior to transplantation, GFP-SC were expanded and screened for the production of virus containing GFP. SC engraftment was studied in a sciatic nerve cut-and-repair model in Lewis rats. Prior to re-approximation, 50,000 SC were inoculated into the distal stump of the sciatic nerve using a Hamilton syringe and a 9.4mm needle (n=3). Untreated rats served as controls (n=3). After 48 hours nerves were retrieved and qualitatively analyzed by confocal microscopy (CM).
Results
In vitro assays indicated that GFP was transfected into isolated SC with a success rate >80%. Transfected cells could be maintained and passaged (>18 times), retaining a high viability (>95%). In vivo, GFP-labeled SC transplantation was technically feasible and safe, with a 100% survival rate. CM showed that intraneural GFP-labeled SC were viable after transplantation. Inoculated SC cells were localized to the peri-axonal region of sciatic nerves alluding to their importance in the process of neuroregeneration.
Conclusion
SC isolation and inoculation is practical and may serve as a platform for novel therapeutic strategies for enhanced nerve regeneration and functional recovery in peripheral nerve repair and CTA.
