Repairing Nerve Defects by Tissue Engineering Technique

描述(由申请人提供)：近年来，通过使用各种类型的移植材料来修复受损的周围神经的策略受到了相当大的兴趣。虽然其中一些努力显示出了希望，但这项工作中的主要障碍之一是细胞过程必须相对较长的距离才能建立功能连接。道格拉斯·史密斯博士的实验室最近发现了一种独特的策略，即在体外系统中通过拉伸诱导神经生长的技术。使用电动设备慢慢地将连接的神经元相互拉开，我们已经能够在两周的时间里将几种类型的轴突延长到5厘米长。到目前为止，在这个系统中已经成功地延长了来自NT2细胞系的原代大鼠皮质神经元和人神经元的整合神经元培养。在这项研究中，我们计划检测成年大鼠背根神经节细胞在持续机械拉伸下的伸长能力。然后将延长的神经(轴突和雪旺细胞)用作移植材料，用于修复大鼠坐骨神经缺损区的长间隙。结果将通过使用功能测试、电生理测试和组织学来衡量。这项研究的积极结果可能会在利用组织工程技术修复周围神经损伤方面取得新的突破。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In recent years there has been considerable interest in developing strategies to repair damaged peripheral nerves through the use of transplanted materials of various types. While some of these efforts have shown promise, one of the major obstacles in this work has been the relatively long distances that cell processes must traverse in order to establish functional connections. A unique strategy that has recently been identified in Dr. Douglas Smith's laboratory is the technique of stretch-induced growth of nerves in an in vitro system. Using a motorized device to slowly pull connected neurons away from each other, we have been able to elongate axons of several types to a length of 5 cm over a 2 week period. To date, integrated neuronal cultures of primary rat cortical neurons and human neurons from the NT2 cell line have been successfully elongated in this system. In this study, we plan to examine adult rat DRG cell's ability to undergo elongation under continued mechanical tension. The elongated nerves (axons along with Schwann cells) will then be used as graft materials to bridge long gap of sciatic nerve defect in rats. Outcomes will be measured through the use of functional testing, electrophysiological testing and histology. Positive results from this study may lead to new breakthrough in repairing peripheral nerve damage using tissue engineering techniques.