Collagen-based fiber-gel constructs engineered for schwann cell guidance and adult axon growth

Adult Schwann cells cultured within three-dimensional (3D) collagen-based nervous tissue constructs demonstrated downstream migration and potential use in the contact-guidance of regenerating adult dorsal root ganglia (DRG) axons. Type I collagen extracted from rat tail tendons was used to prepare collagen dispersions for wet spinning micron-size collagen fibers. Biodegradable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and wet-spun collagen fibers containing various extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were used to evaluate Schwann cell guidance and survival of primary adult rat DRGs, which presents a more realistic model for studying regenerative processes.