期刊
BIOMATERIALS
卷 275, 期 -, 页码 -出版社
ELSEVIER SCI LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120982
关键词
Electrical stimulation; Stem cells; Nerve repair; Conductive polymer; Functional recovery
资金
- Stanford University Dean's Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) [F32HD098808]
- Alliance for Regenerative Rehabilitation Research and Training [P2C HD08684]
- NIH [K08NS089976]
Electric stimulation through conductive nerve guides enhances the efficacy of human neural progenitor cells in treating nerve injuries, promoting nerve regeneration and functional recovery.
Severe peripheral nerve injuries often result in permanent loss of function of the affected limb. Current treatments are limited by their efficacy in supporting nerve regeneration and behavioral recovery. Here we demonstrate that electrical stimulation through conductive nerve guides (CNGs) enhances the efficacy of human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) in treating a sciatic nerve transection in rats. Electrical stimulation strengthened the therapeutic potential of NPCs by upregulating gene expression of neurotrophic factors which are critical in augmenting synaptic remodeling, nerve regeneration, and myelination. Electrically-stimulated hNPC-containing CNGs are significantly more effective in improving sensory and motor functions starting at 1-2 weeks after treatment than either treatment alone. Electrophysiology and muscle assessment demonstrated successful reinnervation of the affected target muscles in this group. Furthermore, histological analysis highlighted an increased number of regenerated nerve fibers with thicker myelination in electrically-stimulated hNPC-containing CNGs. The elevated expression of tyrosine kinase receptors (Trk) receptors, known to bind to neurotrophic factors, indicated the long-lasting effect from electrical stimulation on nerve regeneration and distal nerve re-innervation. These data suggest that electrically-enhanced stem cell-based therapy provides a regenerative rehabilitative approach to promote peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery.
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