A new artificial nerve graft containing rolled Schwann cell monolayers

This study hypothesized that introducing high numbers of Schwann cells in monolayers via a novel rolled graft architecture would promote robust nerve regeneration. The objective was to place adherent Schwann cells in artificial nerve grafts and to assess regeneration through the Schwann cell-laden grafts compared with that through acellular grafts and autografts. Schwann cells were isolated from neonatal Fisher rats. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) was harvested from adult Fisher rats, cut into 7 mm x 8 cm pieces, and pinned out. Schwann cells were plated onto the strips, allowed to reach confluence, and subsequently rolled into a laminar structure and implanted across a 7-mm gap in the rat sciatic nerve (n = 12). Control animals received SIS conduits without Schwann cells (n = 11) or autograft repair (n = 12). At 10.5 weeks, functional regeneration through the Schwann cell-laden grafts, measured by both sciatic function index and extensor postural thrust testing, exceeded that through the cell-free grafts and approached that achieved through autografts. These results highlight the role of Schwann cells in nerve regeneration. Regenerative results approaching autograft levels in the Schwann cell-laden group suggest that this methodology may ultimately be useful in clinical nerve repair.