Figure 5 | Scientific Reports

Figure 5

From: 3D bio-printed scaffold-free nerve constructs with human gingiva-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote rat facial nerve regeneration

Figure 5

Transplantation of 3D bio-printed scaffold-free nerve tissues from GMSC spheroids promote regeneration of rat facial nerve defects. (A) A 5-mm defect was created into the buccal branch of rat facial nerve and bridged with 3D bio-printed nerve constructs. (B) Clinical photographs showing the regenerated facial nerve tissues at 12 weeks after transplantation with silicon tube, autograft facial nerve or 3D bio-printed nerve constructs. (C) Facial palsy scores evaluated at different time points following transplantation (n = 4). *P<0.05, **P < 0.01, 3D bio-printed grafts v.s. silicone tubes; $P < 0.05, 3D bio-printed grafts v.s. autografts. (D) Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) recordings of the vibrissa muscles (n = 3). *P<0.05, **P < 0.01; ns, no significant difference. Data are representative of 2 independent experiments.

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