Objective       To investigate the effect of University of Wisconsin (UW) solution on morphology

cell viability and immunogenicity of rat sciatic nerve during cold storage.       Methods      Rat sciatic nerve segments were preserved in UW solution at 4℃ for 1

4 and 6 weeks

respectively

and fresh rat sciatic nerve segments were set as controls. Morphological changes of sciatic nerve segments were stained by HE and were observed under transmission electron microscope. Cell viability was detected by using LIVE/DEAD Viability/Cytotoxicity kits and confocal microscopy

cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL staining

and Levels of ICAM-1 and MHCⅡ were detected by Western blotting.       Results      Epineurium and Schwann cell basal lamina in the UW group at each time point remained intact and were similar to those in the control group. Cell viability was decreased

quantity of TUNEL positive cells was increased and levels of ICAM-1 and MHCⅡ was decreased in the UW group at each time point

as compared with those of the control group (P0.05). In the UW group

quantity of TUNEL positive cells at both 4 and 6 weeks were larger than that at 1 week (P0.05)

and levels of ICAM-1 and MHCⅡ at both 4 and 6 weeks were lower than those at 1 week (P0.05)

but there was no significantly difference in cell viability

quantity of TUNEL positive cells and levels of ICAM-1 and MHCⅡ between 4 weeks and 6 weeks (P0.05).       Conclusion      Cold storage of peripheral nerve with UW solution can effectively maintain structural integrity of epineurium and Schwann cell basal lamina and reduce nerve immunogenicity within one week.