Schwann cell metabolic activity in various short-term holding conditions: implications for improved nerve graft viability.

Insa Janssen,Christine Radtke,Stella Matthes,Peter M Vogt,Kerstin Reimers,Christina Allmeling

doi:10.1155/2012/742183

Insa Janssen, Christine Radtke + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/742183

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Abstract

Strategies for improvement of nerve regeneration and optimal conditions to prevent Schwann cell (SC) loss within a nerve transplant procedure are critical. The purpose of this study was to examine SC viability, which plays an important role in peripheral nerve regeneration, under various incubation conditions up to three hours. To address this issue, Schwann cell metabolic activity was determined using different independent test methods. The following experimental conditions were compared: SCs prepared from nerves were incubated in (1) isotonic saline solution (2) Dulbecco's modified Eagles medium as used for cell culturing, (3) Hannover bioreactor medium, and (4) Leibovitz's medium. SC metabolic activity of excised rat sciatic nerve was determined at 4°C, 18°C, and 37°C over 3 hrs. The results indicate that SC activity was optimized by the usage of Leibovitz's medium or HBRM at 37°C. Greater SC viability at the time of surgical nerve grafting could contribute to improved axonal regeneration and remyelination after nerve transplantation, and thus more successful functional recovery.

Highlights

Axonal regeneration and remyelination after peripheral nerve injury can be robust with significant functional recovery in contrast to the central nervous system where long white matter tract regeneration is absent or minimal [1]
Schwann cell viability was determined after incubation in either saline, DMEM, HBRM, or Leibovitz’s solution (n = 3 per group) for 0 hr, 1 hrs, 2 hrs, and 3 hrs
The greatest Schwann cell viability in this set of experiments at 4◦C could be observed in saline where cell metabolic activity was significantly higher than in DMEM and HBRM

Summary

Introduction

Axonal regeneration and remyelination after peripheral nerve injury can be robust with significant functional recovery in contrast to the central nervous system where long white matter tract regeneration is absent or minimal [1]. For example, after tumor resection, Wallerian degeneration characterized by macrophage infiltration, axonal membrane digestion, and retraction and proliferation of SCs occurs in the distal nerve segment [2]. The detached SCs from the degenerating axons upregulate the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its low-affinity receptor p75NGFR [3]. Regeneration occurs from the proximal stump by axonal sprouting and elongation and continues into the distal stump or nerve transplant [5]. The status of a nerve transplant is critical for successful nerve regeneration

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