INVESTIGATION OF STRUCTURAL PRESERVATION OF PERIPHERAL NERVE EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX FOLLOWING EX VIVO LIMB PERFUSION

Metafune M^1,2, Haastert-Talini K³, Muratori L^1,2 and Raimondo S^1,2 | ¹Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi (NICO), University of Turin, Turin, Italy; ²Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Lower-Saxony, Germany

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) represent a significant clinical challenge, frequently resulting in permanent sensory and motor defects. Traumatic injuries can severely alter the peripheral nerve’s extracellular matrix (ECM), which is fundamental in guiding Schwann cell (SC) and neuronal responses during regeneration. Given its importance, there is growing interest in understanding how traumatic injuries (amputations) and post-lesion treatments, such as ex vivo perfusion, affect ECM structure and composition. The study aims to evaluate ECM integrity following traumatic injury of peripheral nerves and post-lesion treatment. Amputated porcine limbs were perfused ex vivo with Perfadex® solution for 6 h, after which tibial and common fibular nerves were harvested. ECM components were analyzed using histological stainings: Wallart and Houette’s Trichrome for collagen, Verhoeff’s Van Gieson for elastin, and Alcian blue for glycosaminoglycans. Laminin and fibronectin distribution were assessed by immunofluorescence and ultrastructural features were examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). This work is expected to provide insights into ECM remodeling after peripheral nerve trauma and to clarify whether ex vivo perfusion contributes to preserving its structural and molecular organization. Such knowledge may support the development of improved strategies for peripheral nerve repair.