Heparin sulfate combined with collagen protein in preparation of a new repairing material for nerve tissue engineering

    WANG Shuª²Sen, HU Yunª²Yu, LUO Zhuoª²Jing, LIU Huiª²Ling, LIANG Wei, ZHANG Qingª²Jun, YAN Ming, YAO Qingª²Jun

    1PLA Institute of Orthopaedics, 2PLA Institute of Neuroscience, 3Department of Burn Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi¬ðan 710033, China

    ¡¾Abstract¡¿ AIM: To explore the feasibility of producing a new repairing material for nerve tissue engineering by combining heparin sulfate with collagen protein. METHODS: Heparan sulfate and collagen protein were dissolved and mixed in 0.05 mol/L acetic acid to get the gelatinª²like liquid, which was then infused into a silica gel tube. Then the tube was immersed into fluid nitrogen of -180¡æ at the speed of 20 ¦Ìm/s. After condensation, the tube was dried and radiated with ultraviolet rays to make sure the material agent was crossª²linked. Finally, the agent was observed under the scanning electron microscope to compare its ultraª²microstructure with that of the peripheral nerve. The diameters of the micropores were measured with computerª²aid image analyzing method. After Honchstª²labeled Schwann cells were planted into rat sciatic nerve, the characteristics of the spatial arrangements for the cells were observed under fluorescence microscope, scanning electron microscope and light microscope. RESULTS: The microtubes of the material were arranged in vertical and parallel manners and their threeª²dimensional structures were highly bionic. The average diameter of the material was 180 ¦Ìm and the holes account for 91% of the total volume. The Schwann cells were linearly arranged in the microtube, resembling the ¡°Bunger¡± band between the neurological basement membrane and the Schwann cell. CONCLUSION: The new nerve tissue engineering material, made up of Heparin sulfate combined with collagen protein by freezeª²drying method under given conditions, is highly bionic in components and spatial structure and can be widely applied to nerve tissue engineering. ......