Published online Jan 26, 2015. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v7.i1.51
Peer-review started: July 29, 2014
First decision: August 14, 2014
Revised: October 20, 2014
Accepted: October 28, 2014
Article in press: December 16, 2014
Published online: January 26, 2015
Processing time: 169 Days and 19.8 Hours
Unlike central nervous system neurons; those in the peripheral nervous system have the potential for full regeneration after injury. Following injury, recovery is controlled by schwann cells which replicate and modulate the subsequent immune response. The level of nerve recovery is strongly linked to the severity of the initial injury despite the significant advancements in imaging and surgical techniques. Multiple experimental models have been used with varying successes to augment the natural regenerative processes which occur following nerve injury. Stem cell therapy in peripheral nerve injury may be an important future intervention to improve the best attainable clinical results. In particular adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) are multipotent mesenchymal stem cells similar to bone marrow derived stem cells, which are thought to have neurotrophic properties and the ability to differentiate into multiple lineages. They are ubiquitous within adipose tissue; they can form many structures resembling the mature adult peripheral nervous system. Following early in vitro work; multiple small and large animal in vivo models have been used in conjunction with conduits, autografts and allografts to successfully bridge the peripheral nerve gap. Some of the ADSC related neuroprotective and regenerative properties have been elucidated however much work remains before a model can be used successfully in human peripheral nerve injury (PNI). This review aims to provide a detailed overview of progress made in the use of ADSC in PNI, with discussion on the role of a tissue engineered approach for PNI repair.
Core tip: Adipose derived stem cell differentiation is an area of important active research at present. Since adipose tissue is ubiquitous throughout the body it is an ideal source of cells for regeneration of damaged body parts. In the peripheral nervous system there are currently significant limitations in the methods of treatment and subsequent rehabilitation. Adipose stem cells can express proteins which are similar to schwann cells and are termed schwann like cells. In this review we provide an update on the current methods used in peripheral nerve reconstruction using adipose stem cells.