Motor and Sensory Schwann Cell Phenotype Commitment is Diminished by Extracorporeal Shockwave Treatment in vitro
The gold standard for peripheral nerve regeneration uses a sensory autograft to bridge a motor/sensory defect site. For motor nerves to regenerate, Schwann cells
(SC) myelinate the newly grown axon. Sensory SCs have a reduced ability to produce myelin, partially explaining low success rates of autografts. This issue is masked in pre-clinical research by the excessive use of the rat sciatic nerve defect model, utilizing a mixed nerve with motor and sensory SCs. Aim of this study was to utilize extracorporeal shockwave treatment as a novel tool to influence SC phenotype.