scholarly journals Recent Advances and Developments in Neural Repair and Regeneration for Hand Surgery

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mukai Chimutengwende-Gordon ◽  
Wasim Khan

End-to-end suture of nerves and autologous nerve grafts are the ‘gold standard’ for repair and reconstruction of peripheral nerves. However, techniques such as sutureless nerve repair with tissue glues, end-to-side nerve repair and allografts exist as alternatives. Biological and synthetic nerve conduits have had some success in early clinical studies on reconstruction of nerve defects in the hand. The effectiveness of nerve regeneration could potentially be increased by using these nerve conduits as scaffolds for delivery of Schwann cells, stem cells, neurotrophic and neurotropic factors or extracellular matrix proteins. There has been extensivein vitroandin vivoresearch conducted on these techniques. The clinical applicability and efficacy of these techniques needs to be investigated fully.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 488-503
Author(s):  
Wufei Dai ◽  
Yating Yang ◽  
Yumin Yang ◽  
Wei Liu

Abstract Peripheral nerve injuries resulting from various traumatic events can cause mobility problems and sensory impairment, jeopardizing patients’ life quality and bringing serious economic burdens. Due to the shortcomings of autologous nerve grafts, such as limited tissue sources, unmatched size, and loss of innervation at the donor site, tissue-engineered nerve grafts using both natural and synthetic materials have been employed in the treatment of peripheral nerve defect and to promote nerve regeneration. Apart from traditional advantages such as good biocompatibility and controllable degradation, the development of fabrication technology and the advancement in material science have endowed tissue-engineered nerve conduits with upgraded properties such as biomimetic surface topography, extracellular matrix components, neurotrophic factors, and cell seeding, or a conduit with micropores on the surface for substance exchange and/or with fillers inside for microenvironment simulation. This article reviews recent progress in the biomaterials employed in fabricating tissue-engineered nerve conduits, in vitro characterization, and their applications in nerve repair in animal studies as well as in clinical trials.


2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. F. Meek ◽  
K. Jansen ◽  
P. H. Robinson

The management of peripheral nerve injury continues to be a major clinical challenge. The most widely used technique for bridging defects in peripheral nerves is the use of autologous nerve grafts. This technique, however, has some disadvantages. Many alternative experimental techniques have thus been developed, such as degradable nerve conduits. Degradable nerve guides have been extensively studied in animal experimental studies. However, the repair of human nerves by degradable nerve conduits has been limited to only a few clinical studies. In this paper, an overview of the available international published literature on degradable nerve conduits for bridging human peripheral nerve defects is presented for literature available until 2004. Also, the philosophy on the use of nerve guides and nerve grafts is given.


1998 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 231-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Gilchrist ◽  
M.A. Glasby ◽  
D.M. Healy ◽  
G. Kelly ◽  
D.V. Lenihan ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Xing Yu ◽  
Deteng Zhang ◽  
Chang Liu ◽  
Zhaodi Liu ◽  
Yujun Li ◽  
...  

Severe traction injuries after stretch to peripheral nerves are common and challenging to repair. The nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) are promising in the regeneration and functional recovery after nerve injuries. To enhance the repair of severe nerve traction injuries, in this study KHIFSDDSSE (KHI) peptides were grafted on a porous and micropatterned poly(D,L-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) film (MPLCL), which was further loaded with a nerve growth factor (NGF). The adhesion number of Schwann cells (SCs), ratio of length/width (L/W), and percentage of elongated SCs were significantly higher in the MPLCL-peptide group and MPLCL-peptide-NGF group compared with those in the PLCL group in vitro. The electromyography (EMG) and morphological changes of the nerve after severe traction injury were improved significantly in the MPLCL-peptide group and MPLCL-peptide-NGF group compared with those in the PLCL group in vivo. Hence, the NGCs featured with both bioactive factors (KHI peptides and NGF) and physical topography (parallelly linear micropatterns) have synergistic effect on nerve reinnervation after severe traction injuries.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenghui Cheng ◽  
Yawen Zhang ◽  
Yinchao Tian ◽  
Yuhan Chen ◽  
Fei Ding ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Schwann cells (SCs) play a crucial role in the repair of peripheral nerves. This is due to their ability to proliferate, migrate, and provide trophic support to axon regrowth. During peripheral nerve injury, SCs de-differentiate and reprogram to gain the ability to repair nerves. Cysteine-rich 61 (Cyr61/CCN1) is a member of the CCN family of matrix cell proteins and have been reported to be abundant in the secretome of repair mediating SCs. In this study we investigate the function of Cyr61 in SCs. Results We observed Cyr61 was expressed both in vivo and in vitro. The promoting effect of Cyr61 on SC proliferation and migration was through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms. SCs expressed αvβ3 integrin and the effect of Cyr61 on SC proliferation and migration could be blocked via αvβ3 integrin. Cyr61 could influence c-Jun protein expression in cultured SCs. Conclusions In this study, we found that Cyr61 promotes SC proliferation and migration via αvβ3 integrin and regulates c-Jun expression. Our study contributes to the understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying SC’s function during nerve injury, and thus, may facilitate the regeneration of peripheral nerves after injury.


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Lourdes Mateos-Hernández ◽  
Natália Pipová ◽  
Eléonore Allain ◽  
Céline Henry ◽  
Clotilde Rouxel ◽  
...  

Neuropeptides are small signaling molecules expressed in the tick central nervous system, i.e., the synganglion. The neuronal-like Ixodes scapularis embryonic cell line, ISE6, is an effective tool frequently used for examining tick–pathogen interactions. We detected 37 neuropeptide transcripts in the I. scapularis ISE6 cell line using in silico methods, and six of these neuropeptide genes were used for experimental validation. Among these six neuropeptide genes, the tachykinin-related peptide (TRP) of ISE6 cells varied in transcript expression depending on the infection strain of the tick-borne pathogen, Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The immunocytochemistry of TRP revealed cytoplasmic expression in a prominent ISE6 cell subpopulation. The presence of TRP was also confirmed in A. phagocytophilum-infected ISE6 cells. The in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry of TRP of I. scapularis synganglion revealed expression in distinct neuronal cells. In addition, TRP immunoreaction was detected in axons exiting the synganglion via peripheral nerves as well as in hemal nerve-associated lateral segmental organs. The characterization of a complete Ixodes neuropeptidome in ISE6 cells may serve as an effective in vitro tool to study how tick-borne pathogens interact with synganglion components that are vital to tick physiology. Therefore, our current study is a potential stepping stone for in vivo experiments to further examine the neuronal basis of tick–pathogen interactions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 312 (3) ◽  
pp. G219-G227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leonie Beljaars ◽  
Sara Daliri ◽  
Christa Dijkhuizen ◽  
Klaas Poelstra ◽  
Reinoud Gosens

WNT-5A is a secreted growth factor that belongs to the noncanonical members of the Wingless-related MMTV-integration family. Previous studies pointed to a connection between WNT-5A and the fibrogenic factor TGF-β warranting further studies into the functional role of WNT-5A in liver fibrosis. Therefore, we studied WNT-5A expressions in mouse and human fibrotic livers and examined the relation between WNT-5A and various fibrosis-associated growth factors, cytokines, and extracellular matrix proteins. WNT-5A gene and protein expressions were significantly increased in fibrotic mouse and human livers compared with healthy livers. Regression or therapeutic intervention in mice resulted in decreased hepatic WNT-5A levels paralleled by lower collagen levels. Immunohistochemical analysis showed WNT-5A staining in fibrotic septa colocalizing with desmin staining indicating WNT-5A expression in myofibroblasts. In vitro studies confirmed WNT-5A expression in this cell type and showed that TGF-β significantly enhanced WNT-5A expression in contrast to PDGF-BB and proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α. Additionally, TGF-β induces the expression of the WNT receptors FZD2 and FZD8. After silencing of WNT-5A, reduced levels of collagen type I, vimentin, and fibronectin in TGF-β-stimulated myofibroblasts were measured compared with nonsilencing siRNA-treated controls. Interestingly, the antifibrotic cytokine IFNγ suppressed WNT-5A in vitro and in vivo. IFNγ-treated fibrotic mice showed significantly less WNT-5A expression compared with untreated fibrotic mice. In conclusion, WNT-5A paralleled collagen I levels in fibrotic mouse and human livers. WNT-5A expression in myofibroblasts is induced by the profibrotic factor TGF-β and plays an important role in TGF-β-induced regulation of fibrotic matrix proteins, whereas its expression can be reversed upon treatment, both in vitro and in vivo. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study describes the localization and functional role of WNT-5A in human and mouse fibrotic livers. Hepatic WNT-5A expression parallels collagen type I expression. In vivo and in vitro, the myofibroblasts were identified as the key hepatic cells producing WNT-5A. WNT-5A is under control of TGF-β and its activities are primarily profibrotic.


2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 782-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Poyot ◽  
Françoise Condé ◽  
Marie-Claude Grégoire ◽  
Vincent Frouin ◽  
Christine Coulon ◽  
...  

Positron emission tomography (PET) coupled to 6-[18F]Fluoro-L-Dopa (18F-Dopa) remains the gold standard for assessing dysfunctionality concerning the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway in Parkinson's disease and related disorders. The use of ligands of the dopamine transporters (DAT) is an attractive alternative target; consequently, the current aim was to validate one of them, 11C-PE2I, using a multiinjection modeling approach allowing accurate quantitation of DAT densities in the striatum. Experiments were performed in three controls, three MPTP-treated (parkinsonian) baboons, and one reserpine-treated baboon. 11C-PE2I B′max values obtained with this approach were compared with 18F-Dopa input rate constant values (Ki), in vitro Bmax binding of 125I-PE2I, and the number of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra estimated postmortem by stereology. In the caudate nucleus and putamen, control values for 11C-PE2I B'max were 673 and 658 pmol/mL, respectively, whereas it was strongly reduced in the MPTP-treated (B′max = 26 and 36 pmol/mL) and reserpine-treated animals (B′max = 338 and 483 pmol/mL). In vivo11C-PE2I B′max values correlated with 18F-Dopa Ki values and in vitro125I-PE2I Bmax values in the striatum and with the number of nigral dopaminergic neurons. Altogether, these data support the use of 11C-PE2I for monitoring striatal dopaminergic disorders and the effect of potential neuroprotective strategies.


2010 ◽  
Vol 38 (03) ◽  
pp. 547-560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chao-Tsung Chen ◽  
Jaung-Geng Lin ◽  
Tung-Wu Lu ◽  
Fuu-Jen Tsai ◽  
Chih-Yang Huang ◽  
...  

The present study provides in vitro and in vivo evaluations of earthworm (Pheretima aspergilum) on peripheral nerve regeneration. In the in vitro study, we found the earthworm (EW) water extracts caused a marked enhancement of the nerve growth factor-mediated neurite outgrowth from PC12 cells as well as the expressions of growth associated protein 43 and synapsin I. In the in vivo study, silicone rubber chambers filled with EW extracts were used to bridge a 10 mm sciatic nerve defect in rats. Eight weeks after implantation, the group receiving EW extracts had a much higher success percentage of regeneration (90%) compared to the control (60%) receiving the saline. In addition, quantitative histology of the successfully regenerated nerves revealed that myelinated axons in EW group at 31.25 μg/ml was significantly more than those in the controls (p < 0.05). These results showed that EW extracts can be a potential growth-promoting factor on regenerating peripheral nerves.


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