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开发修复受损周围神经的策略已经引起了相当大的兴趣。虽然其中一些努力已经显示出希望，但这项工作的主要障碍之一是细胞过程必须经过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，即在体外系统中拉伸诱导神经生长的技术。使用一个电动装置慢慢地将连接的神经元彼此拉开，我们已经能够在两周的时间内将几种类型的轴突拉长到5厘米的长度。迄今为止，来自NT2细胞系的原代大鼠皮质神经元和人类神经元的整合神经元培养已在该系统中成功拉长。在这项研究中，我们计划检测成年大鼠DRG细胞在持续机械张力下的伸长能力。然后将延长的神经（轴突和雪旺细胞）作为移植物材料用于大鼠坐骨神经缺损的长间隙桥接。结果将通过使用功能测试、电生理测试和组织学来衡量。本研究的积极成果可能为组织工程技术修复周围神经损伤带来新的突破。

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.