Transplantation of schwann cells inside PVDF-TrFE conduits to bridge transected rat spinal cord stumps to promote axon regeneration across the gap

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-3-2017

Abstract

Among various models for spinal cord injury in rats, the contusion model is the most often used because it is the most common type of human spinal cord injury. The complete transection model, although not as clinically relevant as the contusion model, is the most rigorous method to evaluate axon regeneration. In the contusion model, it is difficult to distinguish regenerated from sprouted or spared axons due to the presence of remaining tissue post injury. In the complete transection model, a bridging method is necessary to fill the gap and create continuity from the rostral to the caudal stumps in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatments. A reliable bridging surgery is essential to test outcome measures by reducing the variability due to the surgical method. The protocols described here are used to prepare Schwann cells (SCs) and conduits prior to transplantation, complete transection of the spinal cord at thoracic level 8 (T8), insert the conduit, and transplant SCs into the conduit. This approach also uses in situ gelling of an injectable basement membrane matrix with SC transplantation that allows improved axon growth across the rostral and caudal interfaces with the host tissue.

Identifier

85034062357 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Journal of Visualized Experiments

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.3791/56077

ISSN

1940087X

PubMed ID

29155759

Issue

129

Volume

2017

Grant

DMR-1006510

Fund Ref

National Science Foundation

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