Functional tissue-engineered microtissue formed by self-aggregation of cells for peripheral nerve regeneration

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Neural Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a major cause of disability.
• Traditional Top-Down tissue engineering strategies have limitations.
• A novel Bottom-Up strategy using microtissues is emerging for neural tissue engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the potential of microtissues for peripheral nerve injury repair.
• To compare the efficacy of microtissues versus 2D-cultured cells in promoting nerve regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) were cultured into microtissues.
• Physicochemical properties and cytokine expression were analyzed.
• Co-culture experiments with dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and Schwann cells (SCs) were performed.
• Microtissue-PCL conduits were used to repair sciatic nerve defects in rats.

Main Results:

• Microtissues secreted more nerve regeneration cytokines than 2D-cultured cells.
• Microtissues promoted SCs proliferation and axon growth.
• DRG axons grew towards microtissues, with evidence of cytoplasmic exchange between SCs and ASCs.
• Microtissues demonstrated more effective repair of sciatic nerve defects in rats compared to 2D-cultured ASCs.

Conclusions:

• Tissue-engineered microtissues are effective for stem cell culture in neural tissue engineering.
• Microtissues represent a promising strategy for peripheral nerve injury repair.
• This approach offers a novel therapeutic avenue for neural regeneration.