Transplantation of undiff erentiated bone marrow stromal cells improves sciatic nerve regeneration and functional recovery through inside-out vein graft in rats

Abstract

Aim: To study the eff ect of undiff erentiated bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on peripheral nerve regeneration using a rat sciatic nerve regeneration model. In recent years, cell transplantation has become the focus of attention, and reliable outcomes have been achieved in regeneration of the sciatic nerve. Materials and methods: A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using an inside-out vein graft (IOVG) fi lled with undiff erentiated BMSCs (2 × 107 cells/mL). In the control group, the vein was fi lled with phosphate buff ered saline alone. Th e regenerated fi bers were studied 4, 8, and 12 weeks aft er surgery. Assessment of nerve regeneration was based on functional (walking track analysis), histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical (Schwann cell detection by S-100 expression) criteria. Results: Th e functional study confi rmed signifi cant recovery of regenerated axons in the IOVG/BMSC group (P < 0.05). Quantitative morphometric analyses of regenerated fi bers showed that the number and diameter of myelinated fi bers in the IOVG/BMSC group were signifi cantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Th is study demonstrates the potential of using undiff erentiated BMSCs in peripheral nerve regeneration without limitations of donor-site morbidity associated with isolation of Schwann cells. It also reduces costs due to the simplicity of laboratory procedures compared to those for diff erentiated BMSCs and the reduction in the interval from tissue collection until cell injection.