T Lymphocyte Subsets and Cytokines in Rats Transplanted with Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Acellular Nerve for Repairing the Nerve Defects

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the immunity in rats transplanted with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) and acellular nerve (ACN) for repairing sciatic nerve defects. METHODS: ADSCs were isolated from the adipose tissues of Wistar rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were used to establish a sciatic nerve defect model and then divided into four groups, according to the following methods : Group A, allogenic nerve graft; Group B, allograft with ACN; Group C, allograft ADSCs+ACN, and Group D, nerve autograft. RESULTS: At the day before transplantation and 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after transplantation, orbital venous blood of the Sprague-Dawley rats in each group was collected to detect the proportion of CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) subsets using flow cytometry and to determine the serum concentration of interleukin-2 (IL-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At each postoperative time point, the proportion of CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) subsets and the serum concentration of IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in group C were all near to those in group B and group D, in which no statistically significant difference was observed. As compared with group A, the proportion of CD3(+), CD4(+), and CD8(+) subsets and the serum concentration of IL-2, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were significantly reduced in group C (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The artificial nerve established with ADSCs and ACN has no obvious allograft rejection for repairing rat nerve defects.