OBJECTIVETo investigate the recovery of rat transected spinal cord injury after implantation of Schwann cells combined with poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA).

METHODSSchwann cells were expanded, co-cultured with PLGA for 9 days in vitro, and then analyzed with scanning electron microscope (SEM). Rat spinal cord at the level of T(9) was transected. Schwann cells labeled with BrdU and PLGA scaffold were implanted to injury site. After 1, 3, 6 months, BrdU/MBP immunohistochemistry double staining, semi-thin sections stained thionin and ultra-thin section were performed to investigate myelin renew. BBB open field locomotion, motor evoked potential (MEP), compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) were recorded.

RESULTSSchwann cells grew well on PLGA under SEM. BrdU/MBP double positive cells would been seen, remyelination was thin and formed by Schwann cells at 6 months later under electron microscope (EM). BBB behavioral tests revealed no significant difference in recovery comparing with experiment group and control group. The results of MEP, CMAP and SEP showed no significant improvement in the conduction of spinal cord.

CONCLUSIONSThere are the compatibility between Schwann cells and PLGA. Although remyelination was found in morphology, function conduction of spinal cord failed to be established.