Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lingchi Kong, Xin Gao, Yun Qian, Wei Sun, Zhengwei You, Cunyi Fan
Summary: This review integrates the current understanding of the biomechanical microenvironment associated with peripheral nerve function and regeneration, introduces promising tissue engineering strategies based on biomechanical modulation, and provides suggestions and prospects for future directions.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lorena R. Lizarraga-Valderrama, Giulia Ronchi, Rinat Nigmatullin, Federica Fregnan, Pooja Basnett, Alexandra Paxinou, Stefano Geuna, Ipsita Roy
Summary: The study demonstrated that PHA-NGCs are highly promising in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration, showing comparable outcomes to autografts in functional evaluation and nerve morphology.
BIOENGINEERING & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Xiangyun Yao, Zhiwen Yan, Xu Wang, Huiquan Jiang, Yun Qian, Cunyi Fan
Summary: Graphene and its derivatives have extraordinary electrochemical and mechanical properties, leading to extensive research in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) shares structural and functional similarities with graphene, influencing neurogenic differentiation of stem cells.
REGENERATIVE BIOMATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shengran Wang, Changlai Zhu, Bin Zhang, Junxia Hu, Jinghui Xu, Chengbin Xue, Shuangxi Bao, Xiaokun Gu, Fei Ding, Yumin Yang, Xiaosong Gu, Yun Gu
Summary: A favorable microenvironment is crucial for nerve regeneration. This study investigates the components and spatial organization of extracellular matrix (ECM) secreted by different cells and finds that ECM derived from bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMSCs) is more similar to acellular nerves. ECM-modified nerve grafts (ECM-NGs) co-cultivated with BMSCs exhibit the most promising nerve repair properties and create a superior microenvironment for nerve regeneration, indicating a potential alternative for clinical repair of peripheral nerve defects.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yao Liu, Xiaonong Zhang, Chunsheng Xiao, Bin Liu
Summary: Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a complex disease that commonly affects young adults and has limited treatment options and poor clinical outcomes. Tissue-engineered hydrogels have shown promising results in promoting neural tissue regeneration and recovery of impaired neural function. This review discusses recent advances and various therapeutic strategies of hydrogels in peripheral nerve repair, as well as the prospects and challenges in their application for PNI treatment.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Yuan Xiong, Bo-Bin Mi, Ze Lin, Yi-Qiang Hu, Le Yu, Kang-Kang Zha, Adriana C. Panayi, Tao Yu, Lang Chen, Zhen-Ping Liu, Anish Patel, Qian Feng, Shuan-Hu Zhou, Guo-Hui Liu
Summary: This article reviews the regulatory role of the immune microenvironment in bone, cartilage, and soft tissue repair and regeneration, and introduces novel strategies for regulating the healing process. A comprehensive understanding of the interaction between immune cells and functional tissue cells is valuable for enhancing the therapeutic effect of bone, cartilage, and soft tissue repair and regeneration through regulating the immune microenvironment.
MILITARY MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Josefa Alarcon Apablaza, Maria Florencia Lezcano, Karina Godoy Sanchez, Gonzalo H. Oporto, Fernando Jose Dias
Summary: This scoping review summarizes the adequate quantitative/morphometric parameters of polymeric nerve guide conduits (NGCs) that provide a supportive environment for nerve regeneration. Optimal morphometric characteristics, such as wall thickness, fiber size, pore size, and porosity, are identified to enhance nerve regeneration and reduce the need for experimental studies.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Tong Qi, Xu Zhang, Xiaosong Gu, Shusen Cui
Summary: A novel bionic tissue-engineered nerve (TEN) graft with a biomimetic structure and composition is designed. The graft is composed of a chitin helical scaffold fabricated by mold casting and acetylation, and a fibrous membrane electrospun on its outer layer. The lumen of the graft is filled with human bone mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular matrix and fibers. Animal experiment results show that the repair effects of the bionic TEN grafts are similar to autografts. This study demonstrates the great potential of the bionic TEN graft for repairing clinical peripheral nerve defects.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhiwen Yan, Cheng Chen, Gonzalo Rosso, Yun Qian, Cunyi Fan
Summary: This review examines the role of two-dimensional nanomaterials in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration by facilitating angiogenesis and supporting new vessel formation. The potential of two-dimensional nanomaterials as a solution for long-range peripheral nerve defects is highlighted, with strategies aimed at addressing energy deficiency post-injury being proposed to enhance therapeutic effects.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhirong Liu, Xingyi Wan, Zhong Lin Wang, Linlin Li
Summary: Electroactive biomaterials have the potential to mimic cell microenvironments and regulate cell and tissue behaviors for tissue regeneration. Electrical stimulation can impact various biological processes and is crucial for nerve, bone, and cardiac tissue regeneration.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Oscar Dario Garcia-Garcia, Marwa El Soury, David Gonzalez-Quevedo, David Sanchez-Porras, Jesus Chato-Astrain, Fernando Campos, Victor Carriel
Summary: Acellular nerve allografts (ANGs) have shown to be a promising alternative in nerve repair. This study demonstrates that using genipin (GP) as a crosslinking agent can improve the biomechanical properties of ANGs, especially in RS and RS-GP 0.10% ANGs, with minimal impact on biocompatibility and histological pattern. This novel crosslinked ANGs could be a suitable alternative for future in vivo preclinical studies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Melissa L. D. Rayner, Adam G. E. Day, Kulraj S. Bhangra, John Sinden, James B. Phillips
Summary: This study provides evidence supporting the effectiveness of using engineered neural tissue (EngNT) as a replacement for nerve autografts, with functional regeneration assessed through histological and electrophysiological outcome measures demonstrating equivalent performance.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Review
Neurosciences
Ting Li, Rabia Javed, Qiang Ao
Summary: This review discusses the utilization of xenogeneic decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) based biomaterials for surgical nerve repair. It highlights the potential of dECM as a reliable alternative for promoting nerve regeneration with a variety of applications.
CURRENT NEUROPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Fengshi Zhang, Meng Zhang, Songyang Liu, Ci Li, Zhentao Ding, Teng Wan, Peixun Zhang
Summary: This review summarizes the recent applications of conductive hydrogels to enhance peripheral nerve regeneration. Conductive hydrogels, with their unique physical and electrical properties, can mimic the biological and electrical characteristics of human nervous tissue.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Yin Li, Zhenjiang Ma, Ya Ren, Dezhi Lu, Tao Li, Wentao Li, Jinwu Wang, Hui Ma, Jie Zhao
Summary: This review summarizes the pathophysiology and tissue-engineered repairing strategies of PNI, discussing the scaffolds, seed cells, and the role of 3D printing in tissue engineering in nerve regeneration.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Holly Gregory, James B. Phillips
Summary: Efforts to repair severe peripheral nerve injuries have led to promising approaches using biomaterial constructs. Research is focused on developing sophisticated constructs with regenerative agents to facilitate nerve regeneration. The use of natural proteins and synthetic polymers in nerve repair constructs, as well as cell therapy, show potential for successful outcomes in vivo.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Papon Muangsanit, Victoria Roberton, Eleni Costa, James B. Phillips
Summary: Vascularisation is crucial for nerve tissue engineering to support long-term survival of implanted cells. Constructs containing endothelial cells have shown to promote axonal regeneration and vascularisation across peripheral nerve gaps.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Despoina Eleftheriadou, Rachael E. Evans, Emily Atkinson, Ahmed Abdalla, Francesca K. H. Gavins, Ashleigh S. Boyd, Gareth R. Williams, Jonathan C. Knowles, Victoria H. Roberton, James B. Phillips
Summary: This study developed a novel approach for protecting cells implanted into the central nervous system by using dual-layer alginate beads. The beads act as a sustained physical barrier, preventing host immune responses while allowing exchange of small molecules. Additionally, an immunosuppressant, FK506, was incorporated into the outer layer of the beads, enabling prolonged release to further protect the implanted cells. This research has the potential to be an effective treatment method in CNS cell delivery.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Despoina Eleftheriadou, Maxime Berg, James B. Phillips, Rebecca J. Shipley
Summary: Recent studies have focused on investigating the potential benefits of tissue-mimetic scaffolds in promoting nerve regeneration. The interaction between cells and their microenvironment is a critical factor for the success of cellular nerve repair constructs. This study evaluates the differences in cellular behavior induced by different environmental conditions in vitro and proposes a mathematical model to describe these interactions.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Simon C. Kellaway, Victoria Roberton, Joshua N. Jones, Rabea Loczenski, James B. Phillips, Lisa J. White
Summary: Incorporating dECMh derived from bone, liver, and small intestinal tissues can promote neurite extension and axonal regeneration, providing an alternative to current collagen I hydrogel.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhong Huang, Rebecca Powell, Svenja Kankowski, James B. Phillips, Kirsten Haastert-Talini
Summary: Researchers have successfully generated Schwann cells from human induced pluripotent stem cells by modifying existing protocols, resulting in sufficient cell numbers. They also found that specific coating and glucose levels are crucial for improving the differentiation process and increasing the yield of viable cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Matthew Wilcox, Melissa L. D. Rayner, Owein Guillemot-Legris, Isobel Platt, Hazel Brown, Tom Quick, James B. Phillips
Summary: Early detection and prompt referral to specialist centres for surgical intervention are crucial for optimal functional recovery following peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs). Serum Neurofilament light chain (NfL) measurements offer a promising method for detecting and stratifying the severity of traumatic PNI, providing a powerful tool to improve surgical management of nerve-injured patients.
JOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Owein Guillemot-Legris, Gedion Girmahun, Rebecca J. Shipley, James B. Phillips
Summary: Peripheral nerve injuries are common and often require surgery, but patients often do not regain satisfactory sensory and motor functions. This causes a heavy socioeconomic burden. We investigated the effects of locally delivering minocycline on nerve regeneration and found that it improved the outcome.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Holly N. Gregory, Owein Guillemot-Legris, Daisy Crouch, Gareth Williams, James B. Phillips
Summary: This article explores the potential of fibrous materials loaded with tacrolimus for the surgical repair of peripheral nerve injury. The materials exhibit sustained drug release, modulate the gene expression of Schwann cells, and promote directional outgrowth of neurons.
REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maxime Berg, Despoina Eleftheriadou, James B. Phillips, Rebecca J. Shipley
Summary: Cellular engineered neural tissues have the potential to improve peripheral nerve repair strategies. Mathematical cell-solute models benchmarked against experimental data enable computational experiments, accelerating the development of new treatment strategies.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Ryan P. Trueman, Peter Gilhooly Finn, Megan M. Westwood, Avishek Dey, Robert Palgrave, Alethea Tabor, James B. Phillips, Bob C. Schroeder
Summary: This study investigates the effects of molecular doping on the surface properties of polydiketopyrrolopyrrole terthiophene (DPP3T) thin films and its subsequent impact on Schwann cell behavior. The results demonstrate that molecular doping alters the topography of DPP3T films, leading to increased cell numbers and larger, more spread out cell morphology. Furthermore, the viability of the cells on the doped films remains unaffected.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Simao Laranjeira, Victoria H. H. Roberton, James B. B. Phillips, Rebecca J. J. Shipley
Summary: Drug therapies for peripheral nerve injury repair have shown promise in preclinical studies, but are not routinely used clinically. Systemic drug delivery often leads to adverse effects, making it challenging to determine effective concentration and delivery strategy. Mathematical modeling can inform transport mechanisms and predict the efficacy of local delivery protocols, accelerating the development of drug delivery approaches for peripheral nerve injury repair.
WIRES MECHANISMS OF DISEASE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Rebecca Powell, Parmjit Jat, Rickie Patani, Kristjan Jessen, James B. Phillips
TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. Laranjeira, G. Pellegrino, K. S. Bhangra, J. B. Phillips, R. J. Shipley
Summary: Peripheral nerve injuries impact millions annually, often resulting in loss of sensation and muscle control. Current treatment with nerve autografts has limitations, driving the need for alternatives like engineered nerve replacement tissues. However, challenges remain in optimizing materials and cell arrangement for maximal regeneration rates, hindered by reliance on experimental testing due to time and cost constraints.
JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY INTERFACE
(2022)
