Petriv T. Effect of the neural crest stem cells transplantation on regeneration of the peripheral nerve after its traumatic injury in the experiment

In the dissertation on the basis of the conducted integrated research the theoretical generalization and a new approach to the decision of a scientific problem of restoration of large gaps of peripheral nerves, by application of neural crest stem cells is presented. The study was performed on white outbreed rats of mean weight 250±50 (n=52). As a model of peripheral nerve injury, a model of autografting is used by tissue-engineering scaffold on the basis of neural crest stem cells. All restorative microsurgical interventions are performed immediately after injury in the peripheral nerve gap area. Performed functional, electrophysiological, cultural, immunohistochemical, histological and statistical studies. During the entire period of observation between the values of the functional index of the sciatic nerve of the group 1 (autografting) and group 3 (implantation of the tissue-engineering scaffold with the contents of the neural crest stem cells), no probable differences were detected (p>0,05). Poor results of functional recovery were observed in the group 2 (implantation of the tissue-engineering scaffold without stem cells), which indicates the stimulating effect of stem cells on the restoration of the muscle-joint apparatus in the experiment. According to the EMG, the M-response amplitudes and the latency of the M-response in the group 3 are as close as possible to those of the 1 group. The electrophysiological parameters in the 2 group were worse. After 4 weeks, the tissue-engineering scaffold detected expression of the p75 factor, unlike the 8 week, indicating differentiation of the neural crest stem cells in mature Sсhwann's cells until the end of this period. Expression of beta-III-tubulin, S100b and The MBP on the 4 and 8 weeks indicates of nerve fibers growth and their myelinization. Morphology of the tissue-engineering scaffold in the thickness of the nerve fibers and the density of their location is statistically significantly different from the area of the nerve recovered by autograft. Clinical implementation of the newest types of major defects restoration in the peripheral nerves with the help of tissue engineering techniques tested in the study will improve the treatment outcomes of patients with peripheral nerves injuries and their consequences