The use of undifferentiated bone marrow stromal cells for sciatic nerve regeneration in rats

In recent years, cell transplantation has become a focus of attention and reliable outcomes have been achieved in regeneration of the sciatic nerve. The effect of undifferentiated bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on peripheral nerve regeneration was studied using a rat sciatic nerve regeneration model. A 10-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using an inside-out vein graft (IOVG) filled with undifferentiated BMSCs (2 × 107 cells/ml). In the control group, the vein was filled with phosphate buffer saline alone. The regenerated fibres were studied 4, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. Assessment of nerve regeneration was based on functional (walking track analysis), histomorphometric and immuohistochemical (Schwann cell detection by S100 expression) criteria. The functional study confirmed significant recovery of regenerated axons in the IOVG/BMSC group (P < 0.05). Quantitative morphometric analyses of regenerated fibres showed the number and diameter of myelinated fibres in the IOVG/BMSC group were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05). This demonstrates the potential for using undifferentiated BMSCs in peripheral nerve regeneration without the limitations of donor-site morbidity associated with isolation of Schwann cells. It also reduces costs because the interval between tissue collection and cell injection is reduced and the laboratory procedures are simpler compared to undifferentiated BMSCs.