Acceleration of Regeneration of Large-Gap Peripheral Nerve Injuries Using Acellular Nerve Allografts Plus Amniotic Fluid Derived Stem Cells (AFS)
Abstract
Major accomplishments this year include the use of AFS seeded Acellular Nerve Allografts (ANA) to repair critical size nerve defects (1.5 cm) in rats. Functional recovery was monitored longitudinally using digital video gait analysis as well as electrophysiologic and histologic outcomes. The results demonstrated that the AFS seeded ANA used for nerve repair resulted in an improved functional outcome for the rats compared to ANA alone and were equivalent to those repaired using nerve autograft, the current gold standard for tension-free repair of transected peripheral nerves. Axon counts and neuromuscular junction morphology were equivalent between the AFS seeded ANA. Additional studies investigated the use of post-partum acellular materials to promote Schwann cell proliferation as well as renewed investigations into decellularization/oxidation of nerves. The coming year will utilize these techniques for repairing large-gap (6 cm) nerve injuries in non-human primates. This preclinical model represents a more translational model of peripheral nerve injury and repair. In addition, preservation of neuromuscular junctions using beta 2 agonists will be studied. IACUC and ACURO approvals for these studies were renewed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1097532
Entities
People
- Thomas L. Smith
- Zhongyu Li
Organizations
- Wake Forest University