Chitosan scaffold seeded with neuron-like cells differentiated from labial salivary glandderived mesenchymal stem cells promote regeneration of rats sciatic nerve
Muaddi, Hasan, Almansoori, Akram; Tran, Simon D.1*
1 Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal - Program: MSc in Oral Health Sciences (1s year)
Peripheral nerve injuries affect approximately 200,000 individuals annually, presenting significant challenges with limited treatment options. The demand for innovative approaches is
evident, which has led to the exploration of salivary gland-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SGDMSCs) as a potential alternatives to traditionally used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that
necessitate invasive procedures for the purpose of regenerative therapy. SGDMSCs offer several benefits, including readily accessible sources, straightforward isolation processes, and promising
applicability in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, human labial SGDMSCs will be obtained from patients diagnosed with mucocele and undergoing treatment at Montreal General Hospital. The process will involve the meticulous tissue collection, enzymatic digestion, and subsequent culture of SGDMSCs. The isolated cells will undergo subculture and expansion to achieve optimal density, followed by the differentiation into neuron-like cells. Twenty-eight adult Sprague Dawley Rats will be categorized into four groups: the sham control group, the empty tube group, the chitosan scaffold (CS) group, and the group with hLSGDMSCsNLCs-loaded chitosan scaffolds. The surgical procedures will involve resecting a 10 mm segment of the sciatic nerve, followed by immediate grafting using the designated scaffolds. Functional assessment of nerve regeneration will be conducted using the sciatic nerve function index (SFI) at pre-determined intervals post-surgery. Additionally, to evaluate nerve fiber regeneration and assess inflammatory responses, immunofluorescence and histological assays will be conducted on the extracted nerve grafts. Morphometric analysis of axonal regeneration will include the examination of myelinated axons using light and transmission electron microscopy. Statistical analysis, specifically a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), will be utilized to identify significant
differences between experimental groups. The study aims to provide valuable insights into the regenerative potential of hLSGDMSCs-NLCs-loaded chitosan scaffolds for peripheral nerve injuries, offering a promising avenue for future therapeutic applications.