Collagen-Coated Polylactic-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) Seeded with Neural-Differentiated Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Potential Nerve Conduit*

Abstract

Background. Autologous nerve grafts to bridge nerve gaps pose various drawbacks. Nerve tissue engineering to promote nerve regeneration using artificial neural conduits has emerged as a promising alternative. Objectives. To develop an artificial nerve conduit using collagen-coated polylactic-glycolic acid (PLGA) and to analyse the survivability and propagating ability of the neuro-differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells in this conduit. Material and Methods. The PLGA conduit was constructed by dip-molding method and coated with collagen by immersing the conduit in collagen bath. The ultra structure of the conduits were examined before they were seeded with neural-differentiated human mesenchymal stem cells (nMSC) and implanted sub-muscularly on nude mice thighs. The non-collagen-coated PLGA conduit seeded with nMSC and non-seeded non-collagen-coated PLGA conduit were also implanted for comparison purposes. The survivability and propagation ability of nMSC was studied by histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Results. The collagen-coated conduits had a smooth inner wall and a highly porous outer wall. Conduits coated with collagen and seeded with nMSCs produced the most number of cells after 3 weeks. The best conduit based on the number of cells contained within it after 3 weeks was the collagen-coated PLGA conduit seeded with neuro-transdifferentiated cells. The collagen-coated PLGA conduit found to be suitable for attachment, survival and proliferation of the nMSC. Minimal cell infiltration was found in the implanted conduits where nearly all of the cells found in the cell seeded conduits are non-mouse origin and have neural cell markers, which exhibit the biocompatibility of the conduits. Conclusions. The collagen-coated PLGA conduit is biocompatible, non-cytotoxic and suitable for use as artificial nerve conduits (Adv Clin Exp Med 2014, 23, 3, 353-362).

Salidroside promotes peripheral nerve regeneration based on tissue engineering strategy using Schwann cells and PLGA: in vitro and in vivo

“…Due to the easy controlling of mechanical properties and biodegradation, PLGA is one of the top biodegradable synthetic polymers used for tissue engineering, especially neural tissue engineering8. It has been used as carrier for various cells to restore injured nerve910. Among the cells, Schwann cells (SCs) which can stimulate the axonal growth, myelinate regenerating axons and reduce cyst formation and secondary damages to the tissue are promising11.…”

Sustained knock down of PPARγ and bFGF presentation in collagen hydrogels promote MSC osteogenesis

“…Therefore, collagen also received much attention in bone tissue engineering. To enhance the bioactivity of collagen hydrogels for bone regeneration, different strategies were explored in recent years, such as supplementing collagen with other bioactive materials or growth factors [31,32]. In the present study, we demonstrated that PPARγ inhibiting with siRNA together with bFGF could synergistically promote MSC osteogeneic differentiation.…”

Scaffolds for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration, the Importance of In Vitro and In Vivo Studies for the Development of Cell-Based Therapies and Biomaterials: State of the Art

“…Also, collagen supports cell proliferation and tissue regeneration [65,73,104]. As nerve conduits collagen allows the establishment of topographical cues that guide axons to regrow [105,106] and has shown excellent cell adhesive properties that encourage cell attachment and proliferation [106,107]. The degradation time of the collagen conduits is relatively prolonged and takes up to 48 months which can cause nerve compression and fibrosis [84].…”