| 摘要 |
The present invention concerns methods of preparing nerve grafts by treatment with CSPG-degrading enzymes. Exemplary CSPG-degrading enzymes include chondroitinase, e.g., chondroitinase ABC, chondroitinase A, chondroitinase C and chondroitinase AC; a hyaluronidase; and a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), e.g. MMP-2 and MMP-9. In one embodiment, the nerve tissue is rendered acellular after treatment. The nerve tissue can be rendered acellular by freeze-killing. The present invention also concerns methods of culturing fresh nerve tissue for subsequent implantation as a nerve graft into a human or animal. The nerve tissue can be cultured under physiological conditions that permit the tissue to degenerate and remodel ex vivo, promoting proliferation of Schwann cells within the tissue and activation of the basal lamina by endogenous processes. In one embodiment, the nerve graft is rendered acellular after culturing. The nerve graft can be rendered acellular by freeze-killing. |
