Repair of sciatic nerve defect with implantation of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor locally secreting mesenchymal stem cells in rabbits / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the repairative effect of local high expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in the repair of sciatic nerve defects. Green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene was used as reporter gene. Two groups including gel matrix control group and gel matrix plus MSCs group were set ( 10 rabbits per group). Methods GDNF secreting mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) mediated by lentiviral vectors were suspended in Matrigel to produce the artificial graft, and then it was locally implanted to a 20 mm-long sciatic nerve defect in rabbits. Results In the GDNF group,the nerve continuity was restored in seven rabbits and the functional amelioration of the wounded limb was apparent. While there found no restoration of the nerve continuity in the control groups. The migration distance of GDNF secreting MSCs was 20 mm, suggesting a good integration of the transplanted cells with host cells. The glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) + green fluorescent protein (GFP) and -100 protein GFP accounted for 60% and 70% respectively in the experimental group, while it was only 40% and 30% in gel matrix plus MSCs group. Conclusions Local implantation of GDNF secreting MSCs can promote the regeneration and functional recovery of the sciatic nerves. GDNF seems to play an important role in inducing transdifferentiation of MSCs to Schwann cell lineage.