A nerve graft constructed with xenogeneic acellular nerve matrix and autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Since synthetic nerve conduits do not exhibit the characteristics of regeneration, they are generally inadequate substitutes for autologous nerve graft in the repair of long peripheral nerve defects. To resolve this problem, in this study, we constructed a nerve regeneration characteristics-containing nerve graft through integrating xenogeneic acellular nerve matrix (ANM) with autologous neural differentiated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs). Xenogeneic ANM was processed by a protocol removing cells and myelin sheath completely, meanwhile preserving growth factors and extracellular matrix (ECM) microstructure of natural nerve, such as porous and basal lamina tube. Cytocompatibility and immunocompatibility evaluation revealed that ANM could support cell attachment and proliferation, and did not stimulate vigorous host reject response. After inoculation of neural differentiated ADSCs onto ANM, differentiated cells were observed to align along longitudinal axis of ANM, resembling band of büngner, and persistently express NGF, GDNF, and BDNF. In vivo, neural differentiated ADSCs also presented glial cell characteristics and promote nerve regeneration 7 days post transplantation. We repaired 1 cm Sprague Dawley rat sciatic nerve defects using this nerve graft construction and nerve gap regeneration was indicated by electrophysiology, retrograde labeling and histology analysis. Therefore, we conclude that constructed nerve graft, offering nerve regeneration characteristics, hold great promise to replace autologous in repair peripheral nerve defect.