A new artificial nerve graft containing rolled Schwann cell monolayers

This study hypothesized that introducing high numbers of Schwann cells in monolayers via a novel rolled graft architecture would promote robust nerve regeneration. The objective was to place adherent Schwann cells in artificial nerve grafts and to assess regeneration through the Schwann cell–laden grafts compared with that through acellular grafts and autografts. Schwann cells were isolated from neonatal Fisher rats. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) was harvested from adult Fisher rats, cut into 7 mm × 8 cm pieces, and pinned out. Schwann cells were plated onto the strips, allowed to reach confluence, and subsequently rolled into a laminar structure and implanted across a 7‐mm gap in the rat sciatic nerve (n = 12). Control animals received SIS conduits without Schwann cells (n = 11) or autograft repair (n = 12). At 10.5 weeks, functional regeneration through the Schwann cell–laden grafts, measured by both sciatic function index and extensor postural thrust testing, exceeded that through the cell‐free grafts and approached that achieved through autografts. These results highlight the role of Schwann cells in nerve regeneration. Regenerative results approaching autograft levels in the Schwann cell–laden group suggest that this methodology may ultimately be useful in clinical nerve repair. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 21:96–101 2001