| AVS 55th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Biomaterial Interfaces | Tuesday Sessions |
| Session BI+NC-TuA |
| Session: | Protein and Cells Interactions on Micro- and Nanofabricated Substrates |
| Presenter: | J.W. Haycock, Sheffield University, UK |
| Authors: | C. Murray-Dunning, Sheffield University, UK R. McKean, Sheffield University, UK A.J. Ryan, Sheffield University, UK S.L. McArthur, Sheffield University, UK J.W. Haycock, Sheffield University, UK |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Nerve guidance conduits (NGC) have considerable potential for repairing peripheral nerve gap injuries caused by trauma, with basic entubulation designs encouraging limited reinnervation of nerve fibres. Following transection injury, Schwann cells are essential for repair as they proliferate rapidly, clear debris and secrete growth factors. We have designed a closed loop bioreactor enabling us to seed Schwann cells into experimental NGCs comprised of uniaxially aligned poly-L-lactide microfibres. Cells were introduced in fibres (5-10µm diameter) varying in length from 10-80mm, contained within 1.2mm diameter silicone tubes and grown under static and flow conditions (0-5.0ml/min) for 24 - 96 hours. MTT and confocal live/dead analysis data showed that cell viability was considerably improved when given an initial 4 hour adhesion time followed by a 0.5ml/min flow rate. To optimise Schwann growth within aligned fibre scaffolds, we then investigated seeding cells onto aligned fibres which were surface modified by acrylic acid plasma deposition. Schwann cells were stained with live/dead and phalloidin-FITC fluorophores and analysed by confocal microscopy in 3D. Microfibre scaffolds revealed a high degree of uniaxial cell alignment and a 50% increase in cellular viability on acid surface treated fibres, verse uncoated PLLA fibres. In conclusion, the following NGC approach is readily adaptable for autologous and stem cell delivery methods for the pre-clinical investigation of 3D tissue models for peripheral nerve repair.