Preparing acellular nerve allografts by combined freeze-thaw and chemical methods

Guan Shu-jun; Wang Wei; Li Yan

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2015.12.021

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Host immune rejection is the main problem for nerve alograft in the repair of nerve defects. Therefore, how to avoid and minimize the immune rejection is the key to the success of nerve alografting. OBJECTIVE: To develop a new nerve pretreatment method by which Schwann cels and myelin can be removed from the peripheral nerve of dogs while the basilar membrane can be reserved integraly in order to obtain acelular nerve alografts. METHODS:Bilateral sciatic nerves from healthy adult dogs were taken and pretreated with the combined freeze-thaw and chemical methods folowed by microscopic observation of ultrastructural features, histological staining and western blot analysis of its ingredients. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Pretreated acelular nerves with good ductility and excelent epineurium toughness were empty basal lamina tubes with no Schwann cels, myelin and fragments that were al removed thoroughly, but the basilar membrane was fuly retained. These findings indicate that the optimized combination of freeze-thaw and chemical methods can efficiently clear Schwann cels and myelin which are the major antigenic components in the peripheral nerve, while preserve the basilar membrane to promote nerve regeneration. Therefore, this method can be an ideal method for preparation of tissue engineered nerves.