Adult Stem Cell-Based Enhancement of Nerve Conduit for Peripheral Nerve Repair
Abstract
Musculoskeletal trauma is frequently accompanied by injuries to peripheral nerves; if not repaired, the trauma can lead to significant dysfunction and disability. While nerves have the ability to regenerate and to reconnect across a limited gap, surgical intervention is often required to assist them in bridging a larger gap. Typically, surgeons will transplant a less important nerve from elsewhere in the body to the site of injury to provide a patch for the injured nerve. However, acceptable donor nerves are often not available for this purpose, particularly in patients suffering multiple extremity injuries or faced with traumatic amputations. Alternatives include the use of a blood vessel graft or a synthetic nerve guide, although these devices are only effective over distances less than 3 cm, mainly because of their lack of appropriate nerve-enhancing biological activities. In our current work, we have identified and isolated stem cells from the injured tissue site that have wound healing promoting activities. In this application, we propose to use these cells, which may be obtained autologously from the patient, in conjunction with a biodegradable scaffold tube to form bioactive nerve conduits that may be grafted to provide better guidance for the microstructure of the nerve to bridge the injury gap. Our Specific Aims are as follows: (1) optimize the neurotrophic bioactivity of stem cell-seeded nanofibrous scaffolds; (2) design and fabricate stem cell activated nerve conduits with optimal neurotrophic and neuroconductive activities that are compatible with point-of-care nerve repair; and (3) perform proof-of-concept functional tests of stem cell-activated nerve conduits in small animal models of nerve repair. Based on our previous and current findings, we expect that we will have positive outcomes from these studies, which will be used to develop testing in a large, clinically relevant animal model, as a basis for future clinical trial.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1047674
Entities
People
- Peter G Alexander
- Rocky S. Taun
Organizations
- University of Pittsburgh