Appropriate Animal Models for Translational Nerve Research

Abstract

This chapter will focus on aspects to be considered when evaluating the properties of novel materials and constructs for bioartificial and tissue-engineered nerve graft repair in preclinical research. The potential for propagation of a novel nerve guide into a medical product for clinical use is significantly increased after its regeneration-supporting properties have been proven in specific and comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies. The predictability toward clinical outcome is of outmost importance for translational research. This is why experimental investigation of novel nerve grafts should deliver results that have been comprehensively evaluated in appropriate models. Therefore, thoughtful study design is a main concern as is also publishing of conclusive results presenting novel developments eventually holding great promise and deserving the enterprise to be processed toward a clinical product. Nevertheless, comprehensive analysis will also reveal developments that are clearly less promising for various reasons, and also these results should be published in order to speed up straightforward modification of the attempt or to avoid others from wasting time, money, and human and animal resources. In the following paragraphs, considerations on the most appropriate, mainly in vivo, models for translational research in peripheral nerve repair will be presented. During this the reader will also be referred to some recently published excellent review articles that have already substantially contributed to the discussion and deserve deeper recognition from the interested reader. As in all other fields of biomedical research, careful study design should also be considered as a valuable tool to speed up the process for novel developments to achieve clinical approval for the eventual benefit of the patients.