Biohybride nerve guide for regeneration: degradable polylactide fibers coated with rat Schwann cells

The restricted capacity of the nervous system to regenerate calls for novel therapeutic concepts. We have tested biocompatible polylactide fibers as p otential nerve guides that could bridge proximal nerve stumps and synaptic target regions after nerve lesion. Polylactides have the great advantage th at they degrade and resorb after completion of regeneration. Material surfa ce properties were optimized three-fold by oxygen plasma treatment, polyani on coating and the seeding of Schwann cells from rat sciatic nerve. Immunoc ytochemistry and scanning electron microscopy revealed that in vitro axonal outgrowth of dorsal root ganglia on two specifically synthesized lactide p olymers can be greatly improved by these surface treatments. The approach a ims to develop an 'intelligent neuroprosthesis' that in vivo facilitates di rected axonal regrowth in the first place and disappears thereafter. (C) 19 99 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.