Scaffold-Free Cell Sheet for Nerve Repair

Nerve repair and regeneration remains one of the most challenging problems in medicine. Current methods of treatment for defects smaller than 1 cm include direct end-to-end reconstruction; larger defects are bridged using autograft tissue. In both approaches, nerve regeneration can take up to 18 months, and complete functional recovery is not achieved. The long recovery time and permanent change in function associated with these procedures are frustrating to patients. Nerve regeneration can be facilitated by neurotrophic factors (NTFs), cytokines, and extracellular matrix molecules known to promote neuron survival and repair. Challenges to developing a drug delivery system for these molecules include the need for a delivery material that can release these critical biomolecules in a sustained manner.

Description

Researchers have created a novel method of generating a scaffold-free cell sheet comprised of NTF-expressing dental stem cells and their endogenous matrix. The cells in the sheets express NTFs at the gene level and are capable of inducing neuritogenesis in a neuronal cell line in vitro. The sheets can be wrapped around nerves that have been repaired using standard methods or around commercially available nerve conduits to accelerate healing and enhance motor recovery.

Applications

· Accelerate nerve healing after repair
· Increase motor recovery after nerve injury

Advantages

· Allows sustained and localized release

Invention Readiness

In vitro data

IP Status

https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2019169234A1

Related Publication(s)

Ahmed, M. N., Shi, D., Dailey, M. T., Rothermund, K., Drewry, M. D., Calabrese, T. C., Cui, X. T., & Syed-Picard, F. N. (2021). Dental Pulp Cell Sheets Enhance Facial Nerve Regeneration via Local Neurotrophic Factor Delivery. Tissue Engineering Part A, 27(17–18), 1128–1139. https://doi.org/10.1089/ten.tea.2020.0265