Strain-induced bands of Büngner formation promotes axon growth in 3D tissue-engineered constructs.
Carina HromadaDorota Szwarc-HofbauerMai Quyen NguyenJanine TomaschMichaela PurtscherDavid HercherAndreas Herbert Teuschl-WollerPublished in: Journal of tissue engineering (2024)
Treatment of peripheral nerve lesions remains a major challenge due to poor functional recovery; hence, ongoing research efforts strive to enhance peripheral nerve repair. In this study, we aimed to establish three-dimensional tissue-engineered bands of Büngner constructs by subjecting Schwann cells (SCs) embedded in fibrin hydrogels to mechanical stimulation. We show for the first time that the application of strain induces (i) longitudinal alignment of SCs resembling bands of Büngner, and (ii) the expression of a pronounced repair SC phenotype as evidenced by upregulation of BDNF, NGF, and p75 NTR . Furthermore, we show that mechanically aligned SCs provide physical guidance for migrating axons over several millimeters in vitro in a co-culture model with rat dorsal root ganglion explants. Consequently, these constructs hold great therapeutic potential for transplantation into patients and might also provide a physiologically relevant in vitro peripheral nerve model for drug screening or investigation of pathologic or regenerative processes.
Keyphrases
- peripheral nerve
- poor prognosis
- end stage renal disease
- stem cells
- neuropathic pain
- induced apoptosis
- ejection fraction
- newly diagnosed
- mesenchymal stem cells
- physical activity
- oxidative stress
- prognostic factors
- drug delivery
- mental health
- high glucose
- cell proliferation
- emergency department
- signaling pathway
- growth factor
- squamous cell carcinoma
- diabetic rats
- endothelial cells
- quality improvement
- peritoneal dialysis
- stress induced
- extracellular matrix
- bone marrow
- endoplasmic reticulum stress
- locally advanced
- hyaluronic acid
- rectal cancer