Recovery of erectile function comparing autologous nerve grafts, unseeded conduits, Schwann-cell-seeded guidance tubes and GDNF-overexpressing Schwann cell grafts
Dissection of the cavernous nerves during radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer eliminates spontaneous erections. Using the rat as an experimental model, we compared the regenerative capacity of autologous nerve grafts and Schwann-cell-seeded nerve guides. After bilateral excision of cavernous n...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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The Company of Biologists
2016-12-01
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| Series: | Disease Models & Mechanisms |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://dmm.biologists.org/content/9/12/1507 |
| _version_ | 1819261683581845504 |
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| author | Florian May Alexander Buchner Kaspar Matiasek Boris Schlenker Christian Stief Norbert Weidner |
| author_facet | Florian May Alexander Buchner Kaspar Matiasek Boris Schlenker Christian Stief Norbert Weidner |
| author_sort | Florian May |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Dissection of the cavernous nerves during radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer eliminates spontaneous erections. Using the rat as an experimental model, we compared the regenerative capacity of autologous nerve grafts and Schwann-cell-seeded nerve guides. After bilateral excision of cavernous nerve segments, cavernous nerves were reconstructed using unseeded silicon tubes, nerve autografts and silicon tubes seeded with either Glial-cell-line-derived (GDNF)-overexpressing or green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing Schwann cells (SCs) (16 study nerves per group). Control groups underwent either a sham operation or bilateral excision of cavernous nerve segments without repair. After 12 weeks erectile function was assessed by neurostimulation and intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurement. The reconstructed nerve segments were excised and histologically analyzed. We demonstrated an intact erectile response upon neurostimulation in 25% (4/16) of autologous nerve grafts, in 50% (8/16) of unseeded tubes, in 75% (12/16) of the Schwann-cell–GFP group and in 93.75% (15/16) of the GDNF group. ICP was significantly increased when comparing the Schwann-cell–GFP group with nerve autografts, unseeded conduits and negative controls (P<0.005). In conclusion, Schwann-cell-seeded scaffolds combined with neurotrophic factors are superior to unseeded tubes and autologous nerve grafts. They present a promising therapeutic approach for the repair of erectile nerve gaps. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-23T19:45:42Z |
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| id | doaj.art-fb2418ea5f784c199a22ec13c71834e1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1754-8403 1754-8411 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-23T19:45:42Z |
| publishDate | 2016-12-01 |
| publisher | The Company of Biologists |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Disease Models & Mechanisms |
| spelling | doaj.art-fb2418ea5f784c199a22ec13c71834e12022-12-21T17:33:33ZengThe Company of BiologistsDisease Models & Mechanisms1754-84031754-84112016-12-019121507151110.1242/dmm.026518026518Recovery of erectile function comparing autologous nerve grafts, unseeded conduits, Schwann-cell-seeded guidance tubes and GDNF-overexpressing Schwann cell graftsFlorian May0Alexander Buchner1Kaspar Matiasek2Boris Schlenker3Christian Stief4Norbert Weidner5 Department of Urology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich 81377, Germany Department of Urology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich 81377, Germany Section of Clinical and Comparative Neuropathology, Center for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich 80539, Germany Department of Urology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich 81377, Germany Department of Urology, Ludwig Maximilians University, Munich 81377, Germany Spinal Cord Injury Center, Ruprecht Karls University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany Dissection of the cavernous nerves during radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer eliminates spontaneous erections. Using the rat as an experimental model, we compared the regenerative capacity of autologous nerve grafts and Schwann-cell-seeded nerve guides. After bilateral excision of cavernous nerve segments, cavernous nerves were reconstructed using unseeded silicon tubes, nerve autografts and silicon tubes seeded with either Glial-cell-line-derived (GDNF)-overexpressing or green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing Schwann cells (SCs) (16 study nerves per group). Control groups underwent either a sham operation or bilateral excision of cavernous nerve segments without repair. After 12 weeks erectile function was assessed by neurostimulation and intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurement. The reconstructed nerve segments were excised and histologically analyzed. We demonstrated an intact erectile response upon neurostimulation in 25% (4/16) of autologous nerve grafts, in 50% (8/16) of unseeded tubes, in 75% (12/16) of the Schwann-cell–GFP group and in 93.75% (15/16) of the GDNF group. ICP was significantly increased when comparing the Schwann-cell–GFP group with nerve autografts, unseeded conduits and negative controls (P<0.005). In conclusion, Schwann-cell-seeded scaffolds combined with neurotrophic factors are superior to unseeded tubes and autologous nerve grafts. They present a promising therapeutic approach for the repair of erectile nerve gaps.http://dmm.biologists.org/content/9/12/1507Erectile dysfunctionSchwann cellsNerve graftsGDNF |
| spellingShingle | Florian May Alexander Buchner Kaspar Matiasek Boris Schlenker Christian Stief Norbert Weidner Recovery of erectile function comparing autologous nerve grafts, unseeded conduits, Schwann-cell-seeded guidance tubes and GDNF-overexpressing Schwann cell grafts Disease Models & Mechanisms Erectile dysfunction Schwann cells Nerve grafts GDNF |
| title | Recovery of erectile function comparing autologous nerve grafts, unseeded conduits, Schwann-cell-seeded guidance tubes and GDNF-overexpressing Schwann cell grafts |
| title_full | Recovery of erectile function comparing autologous nerve grafts, unseeded conduits, Schwann-cell-seeded guidance tubes and GDNF-overexpressing Schwann cell grafts |
| title_fullStr | Recovery of erectile function comparing autologous nerve grafts, unseeded conduits, Schwann-cell-seeded guidance tubes and GDNF-overexpressing Schwann cell grafts |
| title_full_unstemmed | Recovery of erectile function comparing autologous nerve grafts, unseeded conduits, Schwann-cell-seeded guidance tubes and GDNF-overexpressing Schwann cell grafts |
| title_short | Recovery of erectile function comparing autologous nerve grafts, unseeded conduits, Schwann-cell-seeded guidance tubes and GDNF-overexpressing Schwann cell grafts |
| title_sort | recovery of erectile function comparing autologous nerve grafts unseeded conduits schwann cell seeded guidance tubes and gdnf overexpressing schwann cell grafts |
| topic | Erectile dysfunction Schwann cells Nerve grafts GDNF |
| url | http://dmm.biologists.org/content/9/12/1507 |
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