Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ASCs) for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Abstract

Traumatic nerve injuries are a clinical challenge and despite recent achievements in microsurgical techniques the outcome of peripheral nerve injury remains poor. In the future, the therapeutic potential of adult stem cells may become a relevant option. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are found in abundant quantities and can be harvested with a low morbidity. They express a wide range of neurotrophic factors, and combining a nerve conduit with ASCs could offer an opportunity to prevent time-consuming Schwann cell (SC) culture or use of an autograft with its donor-site morbidity and eventually improve clinical outcome. In this chapter, we discuss the effects of ASCs when tested in vitro, with peripheral nerve injury models in vivo and the role of a tissue engineering approach.