Abstract
Introduction: We sought to determine whether supplementation of acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) with Schwann cells overexpressing GDNF (G-SCs) would enhance functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. Methods: SCs expanded in vitro were infected with a lentiviral vector to induce GDNF overexpression. Wild-type SCs (WT-SCs) and G-SCs were seeded into ANAs used to repair a 14-mm nerve gap defect. Animals were harvested after 6 and 12 weeks for histomorphometric and muscle force analysis. Results: At 6 weeks, histomorphometry revealed that ANAs supplemented with G-SCs promoted similar regeneration compared with isograft at midgraft. However, G-SCs failed to promote regeneration into the distal stump. At 12 weeks, ANAs with G-SCs had lower maximum and specific force production compared with controls. Conclusions: The combined results suggest that consistent overexpression of GDNF by G-SCs trapped axons in the graft and prevented functional regeneration.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 213-223 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Muscle and Nerve |
Volume | 47 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2013 |
Keywords
- GDNF
- Lentiviral vector
- Nerve regeneration
- Neurotrophic factor
- Peripheral nerve injury
- Schwann cells