Experimental study on the adhesion, migration and three-dimensional growth of Schwann cells on absorbable biological materials.

Objective: To study the adhesion, migration and three-dimentional growth of Schwann cells on PLA (polylactic acid) nonspinning fibre cloth and polyglycolic/ polylactic acid (PLGA) fibres. Methods: Schwann cells/ECM gel solution and PLA nonspinning fibre cloth and PLGA fibres pretreated by collagen, polylysine and ECM were co-cultured. Then the migration and three-dimensional growth of Schwann cells on the fibres were observed under phase contrast microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope. Results: Schwann cell/ECM solution was compounded with PLA nonspinning fibre cloth. With formation of gel, most Schwann cells resided in the fibre net holes, and adhered to the fibres to form a multiplayer-arranged Schwann cell column like Bungner band. Schwann cells could adhere to PLGA fibres and grew and migrated along the fibres. ECM gel could significantly increase the adhering and migrating cell number. Conclusions: ECM gel can facilitate the adhesion, growth and migration of Schwann cells on the seteroframe. It is a good integrating material for tissue engineering bioartificial nerve.