Local Xenotransplantation of Bone Marrow Derived Mast Cells (BMMCs) Improves Functional Recovery of Transected Sciatic Nerve in Cat: A Novel Approach in Cell Therapy

Objective: to determine the effects of bone marrow derived mast cells (bmmcs) on functional recovery of transected sciatic nerve in animal model of cat. method: a 20-mm sciatic nerve defect was bridged using a silicone nerve guide filled with bmmcs in bmmc group. in sham-surgery group (sham), the sciatic nerve was only exposed and manipulated. in control group (silocone) the gap was repaired with a silicone nerve guide and both ends were sealed using sterile vaseline to avoid leakage and the nerve guide was filled with 100 μl of phosphate-buffered saline alone. in cell treated group ([silocone/bmmc) the nerve guide was filled with 100 μl bmmcs (2× 10^6 cells/100 μl). the regenerated nerve fibers were studied, biomechanically, histologically and immunohiscochemically 6 months later. results: biomechanical studies confirmed faster recovery of regenerated axons in bmmcs transplanted animals compared to control group (p<0.05). morphometric indices of the regenerated fibers showed that the number and diameter of the myelinated fibers were significantly higher in bmmcs transplanted animals than in control group (p<0.05). in immunohistochemistry, location of reactions to s-100 in bmmcs transplanted animals was clearly more positive than that in control group. conclusion: bmmcs xenotransplantation could be considered as a readily accessible source of cells that could improve recovery of transected sciatic nerve.