Abstract
At present, repair methods for peripheral nerve injury often fail to get satisfactory result. Although various strategies have been adopted to investigate the microenvironment after peripheral nerve injury, the underlying molecular mechanisms of neurite outgrowth remain unclear. In this study, we evaluate the effects of exosomes from gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) combined with biodegradable chitin conduits on peripheral nerve regeneration. GMSCs were isolated from human gingival tissue and characterized by surface antigen analysis and in vitro multipotent differentiation. The cell supernatant was collected to isolate the exosomes. The exosomes were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, Western blot, and size distribution analysis. The effects of exosomes on peripheral nerve regeneration in vitro were evaluated by coculture with Schwann cells and DRGs. The chitin conduit was prepared and combined with the exosomes to repair rat sciatic nerve defect. Histology, electrophysiology, and gait analysis were used to test the effects of exosomes on sciatic nerve function recovery in vivo. We have successfully cultured GMSCs and isolated exosomes. The exosomes from GMSCs could significantly promote Schwann cell proliferation and DRG axon growth. The in vivo studies showed that chitin conduit combined with exosomes from GMSCs could significantly increase the number and diameter of nerve fibers and promote myelin formation. In addition, muscle function, nerve conduction function, and motor function were also obviously recovered. In summary, this study suggests that GMSC-derived exosomes combined with biodegradable chitin conduits are a useful and novel therapeutic intervention in peripheral nerve repair.
Highlights
Every year, a large number of patients suffer from peripheral nerve injury worldwide, and the lack of effective treatments often leads to disability, which imposes a heavy burden on families and society [1,2,3]
Autologous nerve transplantation remains the preferred strategy for reconstruction, it is limited by donor tissues, the sacrifice of functional nerves, and the potential formation of neuromas [4,5,6]
Our results showed for the first time that gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs)-derived exosomes can significantly promote Dorsal Root Ganglion (DRG) axonal growth
Summary
A large number of patients suffer from peripheral nerve injury worldwide, and the lack of effective treatments often leads to disability, which imposes a heavy burden on families and society [1,2,3]. Exosomes are widely involved in intercellular communication and play an important role in tissue repair and regeneration, immune regulation, and organism development [15, 16]. Vasculogenesis plays an important physiological role in tissue repair It can result in the transport of oxygen, nutrients, and immune cells to the injured site. Immunoinflammation plays an important role in coordinating a series of physiological processes involved in tissue repair and regeneration. Whether exosomes derived from gingival stem cells can promote peripheral nerve regeneration has not been reported. We used a biodegradable chitin conduit combined with gingival stem cell-derived exosomes to bridge a 10 mm sciatic nerve defect in rats to address this question
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
