Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells promotes axonal regeneration and functional recovery of peripheral nerve lesion in rats.

Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) hold promise for cell therapy because they may promote regeneration of the central nervous system. However, OECs have been less studied after peripheral nerve injury (PNI). The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of OEC transplantation on a severe sciatic nerve (SN) lesion. OECs were injected in rats after section and 2-cm resection of the SN. Three months after therapy, muscle strength and morphometric studies showed complete restoration of the contractile properties of the gastrocnemius and complete repair of the SN. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR studies indicated an increase in the presence of neurotrophic factors. Interestingly, tracking of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-positive OECs showed that no OECs were present in the SN. Our results demonstrate that, after severe PNI, OECs have remarkable potential for nerve regeneration by creating a favorable microenvironment.

Guérout N ，Duclos C ，Drouot L ，Abramovici O ，Bon-Mardion N ，Lacoume Y ，Jean L ，Boyer O ，Marie JP ... -  《-》

Olfactory ensheathing cells enhance Schwann cell-mediated anatomical and functional repair after sciatic nerve injury in adult rats.

Sciatic nerve injury results in axon damage, muscle degeneration, and loss of function. We compared the potential of Schwann cell (SC), olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC), or mixed SC/OEC transplants for anatomical and functional restoration after adult rat sciatic nerve transection. The cells were seeded into a 20mm long macroporous poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) acid conduit and grafted between the sciatic nerve stumps. Some rats received a conduit without cells (controls) or an autologous nerve graft, the clinical standard of care. Compared with SC transplants, axon regeneration was 25% less with OEC transplants but 28% more with SC/OEC transplants. Gastrocnemius muscle restoration was similar with a SC or OEC transplant and 35% better with a SC/OEC transplant. With SC transplants, motor and sensory function recovery and electrophysiological outcomes were similar as with OEC transplants and 33% better with SC/OEC transplants. Compared with the mixed SC/OEC transplants, axon regeneration was 21% better and gastrocnemius muscle restoration was 18% better with autologous peripheral nerve transplants, but these improvements did not translate into increased function and electrophysiological outcomes. Our results revealed that OEC synergistically improve SC mediated sciatic nerve repair. The data emphasized the promise of SC/OEC transplants as artificial nerves for peripheral nerve repair. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Understanding olfactory ensheathing glia and their prospect for nervous system repair.

You H ，Wei L ，Liu Y ，Oudega M ，Jiao SS ，Feng SN ，Chen Y ，Chen JM ，Li BC ... -  《-》

Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells enhances peripheral nerve regeneration after microsurgical nerve repair.

Radtke C ，Aizer AA ，Agulian SK ，Lankford KL ，Vogt PM ，Kocsis JD ... -  《-》

Motor recovery following olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation in rats with spinal cord injury.

Tharion G ，Indirani K ，Durai M ，Meenakshi M ，Devasahayam SR ，Prabhav NR ，Solomons C ，Bhattacharji S ... -  《-》

[Olfactory ensheathing cells enhance functional recovery of injured sciatic nerve].

Cheng SY ，Ruan HZ ，Wu XG 《-》