Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth (SHED) Differentiate in vivo and Promote Facial Nerve Regeneration

Author(s)

Pereira, Larissa Vilela ^[1] ; Bento, Ricardo Ferreira ^{[1, 2]} ; Cruz, Dayane B. ^[3] ; Marchi, Claudia ^[2] ; Salomone, Raquel ^[1] ; Oiticicca, Jeanne ^{[1, 2]} ; Costa, Marcio Paulino ^[4] ; Haddad, Luciana A. ^[3] ; Mingroni-Netto, Regina Celia ^[3] ; Zabeu Rossi Costa, Heloisa Juliana ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Ophthalmol & Otolaryngol, SQNW 107 Bloco F Apt 414 Noroeste, BR-70686080 Brasilia, DF - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Med Invest Lab Otolaryngol LIM 32, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Human Genome & Stem Cell Res Ctr, Biosci Inst, Dept Genet & Evolutionary Biol, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Med, Dept Plast Surg, Sao Paulo - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CELL TRANSPLANTATION; v. 28, n. 1, p. 55-64, JAN 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 3

Abstract

Post-traumatic lesions with transection of the facial nerve present limited functional outcome even after repair by gold-standard microsurgical techniques. Stem cell engraftment combined with surgical repair has been reported as a beneficial alternative. However, the best association between the source of stem cell and the nature of conduit, as well as the long-term postoperative cell viability are still matters of debate. We aimed to assess the functional and morphological effects of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) in polyglycolic acid tube (PGAt) combined with autografting of rat facial nerve on repair after neurotmesis. The mandibular branch of rat facial nerve submitted to neurotmesis was repaired by autograft and PGAt filled with purified basement membrane matrix with or without SHED. Outcome variables were compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and axon morphometric. Animals from the SHED group had mean CMAP amplitudes and mean axonal diameters significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.001). Mean axonal densities were significantly higher in the control group (p = 0.004). The engrafted nerve segment resected 6 weeks after surgery presented cells of human origin that were positive for the Schwann cell marker (S100), indicating viability of transplanted SHED and a Schwann cell-like phenotype. We conclude that regeneration of the mandibular branch of the rat facial nerve was improved by SHED within PGAt. The stem cells integrated and remained viable in the neural tissue for 6 weeks since transplantation, and positive labeling for S100 Schwann-cell marker suggests cells initiated in vivo differentiation. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/18764-0 - Rats facial nerve regeneration with bone marrow stem cells compared to dental pulp stem cells
• Grantee: Heloísa Juliana Zabeu Rossi Costa
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 13/08028-1 - CEGH-CEL - Human Genome and Stem Cell Research Center
• Grantee: Mayana Zatz
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC