Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that the repair of nerve defects by rabbit Schwann cells combined with swine small intestinal submucosa composite have obtained good results.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biocompatibility of in vitro co-culture of rabbit Schwann cells and swine small intestinal submucosa.
METHODS: Schwann cells from New Zealand white rabbits were separated and cultured by step-by-step enzyme digestive method. Passage 3 Schwann cells were selected and seeded on swine small intestinal submucosa.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: ①Hematoxylin-eosin staining: After Schwann cells co-cultured with small intestinal submucosa for 24 hours, cells showed good adhesion. Some cells displayed monolayer growth on the surface of stroma in swine small intestinal submucosa; besides, the cells were flat, long spindle-shaped and connected closely with each other. After 2 weeks, the cells showed multilayer growth. ②Scanning electron microscope: After 2 days, Schwann cells adhered on the surface of co-cultured small intestinal submucosa and stretched. The cells displayed spindle-shaped, and stretched out two slender processes, besides, the adjacent cell processes were connected end to end and formed a chain of cells or fusion or cross-link or parallel growth in the fiber side. After 1 week, the cells proliferated greatly and showed a beaded chain adhered on the material, which was similar to the Bunger band of nerve. These findings suggest that small intestinal submucosa and Schwann cells have good compatibility.