OBJECTIVETo culture interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-activated Schwann cells (SCs) with human hair keratins (HHKs) for artificial nerve bridge construction.

METHODSSCs purified by primary culture with or without IL-1beta activation were cultured with HHKs decorated by extracellular matrix (ECM), and the artificial nerve bridge was implanted into the defect of rat sciatic nerve. The morphology of the SCs cultured with HHKs was monitored by inverted microscope, scanning electron microscope and evaluated by immunocytochemical staining, and the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the sciatic nerve was observed by in situ hybridization.

RESULTSActivated SCs showed better ability to adhere to the HHKs and grew well. The HHKs component in the artificial nerve bridge underwent degradation in the sciatic nerve defect after 3 to 4 weeks, and IL-1beta activation resulted in enhanced NGF expression in the SCs.

CONCLUSIONThe constructed artificial nerve bridge by three-dimensional culture of IL-1beta-activiated SCs with HHKs decorated by ECM promotes the repair of sciatic nerve defects and accelerates sciatic nerve regeneration.