No / In recent years, for neurodegenerative diseases therapy, research has focused on the stem cells therapy. Due to promising findings in stem cell therapy, there are various sources of stem cells for transplantation in human. The aim of this study was to evaluate sciatic nerve regeneration in the rat after nerve transaction followed by human endometrial stem cells (hEnSCs) treatment into poly (e-caprolactone)/collagen/nanobioglass (PCL/collagen/NBG) nanofibrous conduits. After treatment of animals, the performance in motor and sensory tests, showed significant improvement in rats treated with hEnSCs as an autograft. H&E images provided from cross-sectional and, longitudinal-sections of the harvested regenerative nerve as well as immunohistochemistry results indicated that regenerative nerve fibres had been formed and accompanied with new blood vessels in the conduit cell group. Due to the advantage of high surface area for cell attachment, it is reported that this electrospun nerve conduit could find more application in cell therapy for nerve regeneration in future, to further improve the functional regeneration outcome, especially for longer nerve defect restoration. In conclusion, our results suggest that the PCL/collagen/NBG nanofibrous conduit filled with hEnSCs is a suitable strategy to improve nerve regeneration after a nerve transaction in rat. / Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) grant number 95849510

Yes / Tissue engineering is one of the most promising areas for treatment of various ophthalmic diseases particularly for patients who suffer from limbal stem cell deficiency and this is due to the lack of existence of appropriate matrix for stem cell regeneration. The aim of this research project is to design and fabricate triple layered electrospun nanofibers as a suitable corneal tissue engineering scaffold and the objective is to investigate and perform various in vitro tests to find the most optimum and suitable scaffold for this purpose. Electrospun scaffolds were prepared in three layers. Poly(d, l-lactide-co-glycolide; PLGA, 50:50) nanofibers were electrospun as outer and inner layers of the scaffold and aligned type I collagen nanofibers were electrospun in the middle layer. Furthermore, the scaffolds were cross-linked by 1-ethyl-3-(3 dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride and glutaraldehyde. Structural, physical, and mechanical properties of scaffolds were investigated by using N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle measurement, tensile test, degradation, shrinkage analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, capability to support cell attachment and viability were characterized by SEM, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay, and 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole staining. According to the result of Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, specific surface area of electrospun scaffold was about 23.7 m2 g-1. Tensile tests on cross-linked scaffolds represented more suitable hydrophilicity and tensile behavior. In addition, degradation rate analysis indicated that noncross-linked scaffolds degraded faster than cross-linked one and cross-linking led to controlled shrinkage in the scaffold. The SEM analysis depicted nano-sized fibers in good shape. Also, the in vitro study represented an improved cell attachment and proliferation in the presence of human endometrial stem cells for both cross-linked and noncross-linked samples. The current study suggests the possibility of producing an appropriate substrate for successful cornea tissue engineering with a novel design. / Deputy of Research, Tehran University of Medical Science. Grant Number: 93‐01‐33‐25613