METHODS: Fifty-six sciatic nerve segments from Sprague Dawley rats were decellularized, and MSCs were harvested from Lewis rat adipose tissue. Control and differentiated MSCs were dynamically seeded on the surface of decellularized allografts. Cell viability, seeding efficiencies, cell adhesion, distribution, and migration were evaluated.
RESULTS: The viability of both cell types was not influenced by the processed nerve allograft. Both cell types achieved maximal seeding efficiency after 12 h of dynamic seeding, albeit that differentiated MSCs had a significantly higher mean seeding efficiency than control MSCs. Dynamic seeding resulted in a uniform distribution of cells among the surface of the nerve allograft. No cells were located inside the nerve allograft after seeding.
CONCLUSIONS: Differentiated MSCs can be dynamically seeded on the surface of a processed nerve allograft, in a similar fashion as undifferentiated MSCs. Schwann-like differentiated MSCs have a significantly higher seeding efficiency after 12 h of dynamic seeding. We conclude that differentiation of MSCs into Schwann-like cells may improve the seeding strategy and the ability of nerve allografts to support axon regeneration.