Enhanced sciatic nerve regeneration by human endometrial stem cells in an electrospun poly (ε-caprolactone)/collagen/NBG nerve conduit in rat

Abstract

In recent years, for neurodegenerative diseases therapy, research has focused on the stem cells therapy. Due to promising findings in stem cell therapy, there are various sources of stem cells for transplantation in human. The aim of this study was to evaluate sciatic nerve regeneration in the rat after nerve transaction followed by human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) treatment into poly (e-caprolactone)/collagen/nanobioglass (PCL/collagen/NBG) nanofibrous conduits. After treatment of animals, the performance in motor and sensory tests, showed significant improvement in rats treated with hEnSCs as an autograft. H&E images provided from cross-sectional and, longitudinal-sections of the harvested regenerative nerve as well as immunohistochemistry results indicated that regenerative nerve fibres had been formed and accompanied with new blood vessels in the conduit cell group. Due to the advantage of high surface area for cell attachment, it is reported that this electrospun nerve conduit could find more application in cell therapy for nerve regeneration in future, to further improve the functional regeneration outcome, especially for longer nerve defect restoration. In conclusion, our results suggest that the PCL/collagen/NBG nanofibrous conduit filled with hEnSCs is a suitable strategy to improve nerve regeneration after a nerve transaction in rat.