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)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chaoying Zhang, Jiaxing Gong, Jingyu Zhang, Ziyu Zhu, Ying Qian, Kejie Lu, Siyi Zhou, Tianyi Gu, Huiming Wang, Yong He, Mengfei Yu
Summary: The replacement of autograft with a nerve guidance conduit (NGC) in peripheral nerve injury is challenging due to the limited conductivity and biocompatibility of current NGCs in vivo. In this review, the authors explore the superior factors for nerve conduction, the construction of a more conductive regenerative scaffold, and the next steps in nerve regeneration for NGCs. The analysis of NGC-related references suggests that conductive materials, manufacturing technologies of neural scaffolds, and electrical stimulation (ES) play essential roles in accelerating nerve conduction.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yongcong Fang, Chengjin Wang, Zibo Liu, Jeonghoon Ko, Li Chen, Ting Zhang, Zhuo Xiong, Lei Zhang, Wei Sun
Summary: In this study, a conductive multiscale filled NGC (MF-NGC) is developed, which significantly enhances peripheral nerve regeneration. The printed MF-NGCs possess good permeability, mechanical stability, and electrical conductivity, promoting the elongation and growth of Schwann cells and neurite outgrowth. Animal studies demonstrate that the MF-NGCs promote neovascularization and M2 transition, leading to improved peripheral nerve regeneration. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using 3D-printed conductive MF-NGCs with hierarchically oriented fibers as functional conduits.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yaowei Xuan, Lin Li, Xuelai Yin, Dongming He, Siyao Li, Chenping Zhang, Yuan Yin, Wanlin Xu, Zhen Zhang
Summary: This study developed a nerve guidance conduit (NGC) based on bredigite (BRT) bioceramic, which could promote the repair of peripheral nerve injury. BRT bioceramic showed good biocompatibility and sustained release of beneficial ions for nerve repair. The experiments demonstrated that BRT-incorporating NGC could promote cell proliferation, myelination, and vascular formation, as well as improve electrophysiological performance and muscle atrophy in a rat sciatic nerve defect model.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yasuhiro Ikegami, Muhammad Shafiq, Shinichi Aishima, Hiroyuki Ijima
Summary: Injuries to the nervous system have significant impact worldwide. Artificial nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) provide a promising solution for nerve reconstruction but need to replicate the in vivo microenvironment. This study developed heparin/growth factors (GFs)-immobilized artificial NGCs, which showed successful retention and bioactivity of nerve growth factor (NGF). The NGCs demonstrated good stability and biocompatibility in vivo, suggesting their potential in nerve regeneration and tissue engineering.
ADVANCED FIBER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Qingqing Lu, Feng Zhang, Weinan Cheng, Xiang Gao, Zhaozhao Ding, Xiaoyi Zhang, Qiang Lu, David L. Kaplan
Summary: The study utilized modular assembly for fabricating nerve conduits with multifunctional guidance cues, which promoted cell proliferation and growth factor secretion, and demonstrated improved nerve regeneration in both cell and animal experiments for rat sciatic nerve defects.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Zheng Yang, Yang Yang, Yichi Xu, Weiqian Jiang, Yan Shao, Jiahua Xing, Youbai Chen, Yan Han
Summary: In this study, engineered exosomes were used as carriers to efficiently deliver NT-3 mRNA to recipient cells and promote nerve regeneration in a rat sciatic nerve defect model, demonstrating the potential for improving nerve regeneration.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Qun Huang, Yuting Cai, Xing Zhang, Junchao Liu, Zhenjing Liu, Bo Li, Hoilun Wong, Feng Xu, Liyuan Sheng, Dazhi Sun, Jinbao Qin, Zhengtang Luo, Xinwu Lu
Summary: In this study, a graphene mesh-supported double-network hydrogel scaffold loaded with netrin-1 was engineered to promote peripheral nerve regeneration and improve surgical outcomes.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ohan S. Manoukian, Swetha Rudraiah, Michael R. Arul, Jenna M. Bartley, Jiana T. Baker, Xiaojun Yu, Sangamesh G. Kumbar
Summary: The study investigates novel nerve guidance conduits with aligned microchannel porosity delivering sustained-release of neurogenic 4-aminopyridine for peripheral nerve regeneration. Results show equivalency with autograft controls in terms of functional recovery, myelin development, and histological assessments. The aligned microchannel architecture of the conduit guides axons and the sustained release of 4-AP increases nerve conduction.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shuhui Yang, Jinjin Zhu, Changfeng Lu, Yi Chai, Zheng Cao, Jiaju Lu, Zhe Zhang, He Zhao, Yin-Yuan Huang, Shenglian Yao, Xiangdong Kong, Peixun Zhang, Xiumei Wang
Summary: The AFG/fSAP hydrogel, with synergistic topographical and biochemical cues, successfully repaired a 15-mm peripheral nerve defect in rats through enhancing alignment and neurotrophin secretion. It showed satisfactory morphological and functional recovery, comparable to autografts, and activated regeneration-associated gene expression and signaling pathways.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Jie Yang, Chia-Chen Hsu, Ting-Ting Cao, Hua Ye, Jing Chen, Yun-Qing Li
Summary: A hyaluronic acid granular hydrogel was found to promote neuronal and astrocyte colony formation and axonal extension in vitro, mimicking an extracellular matrix structure for neural regeneration. Transplantation of the hydrogel nerve guidance conduit successfully repaired a 10-mm long sciatic nerve gap, showing similar regeneration of axons and myelin sheath, as well as recovery of electrophysiological and motor functions. The conduit outperformed bulk hydrogel or silicone tube transplant. These findings suggest that tissue-engineered nerve conduits with hyaluronic acid granular hydrogels effectively promote the morphological and functional recovery of injured peripheral nerves.
NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ping Wu, Zan Tong, Lihua Luo, Yanan Zhao, Feixiang Chen, Yinping Li, Celine Huselstein, Qifa Ye, Qingsong Ye, Yun Chen
Summary: The combination of VEGF and Schwann cells in peripheral nerve repair shows promising results in promoting nerve regeneration. The HSPS conduits loaded with VEGF-A overexpressing Schwann cells demonstrate high durability and efficiency in repairing nerve tissue, making them a potential new avenue for nerve tissue engineering.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Binghui Jin, Yiling Yu, Chenghao Lou, Xiaodi Zhang, Bowen Gong, Jinghao Chen, Xiangxiang Chen, Zihan Zhou, Liqun Zhang, Jian Xiao, Jiajia Xue
Summary: A multi-functional nerve guidance conduit (NGC) is constructed to promote nerve regeneration by integrating ordered topological structure, density gradient of biomacromolecular nanoparticles, and controlled delivery of biological effectors. The NGC promotes the proliferation of Schwann cells and directional extension of neurites, achieving both anatomical and functional regeneration of the nerve. It provides a favorable microenvironment for peripheral nerve regeneration and holds great promise for nerve repair.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yasaman Mozhdehbakhsh Mofrad, Amir Shamloo
Summary: Injectable conductive hydrogels are a promising treatment option for nervous system injuries, but research in this area is limited. This study developed a chitosan/beta-glycerophosphate/salt hydrogel with added conductive aligned nanofibers to improve its biochemical and biophysical properties, inspired by natural nerve tissue. The results showed that the degradation rate of the hydrogels is proportional to axon regrowth. Additionally, the mechanical and electrical properties of these hydrogels, as well as the interconnective structure of the scaffolds, were found to support cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Biomaterials
Caroline S. Taylor, Mehri Behbehani, Adam Glen, Pooja Basnett, David A. Gregory, Barbara B. Lukasiewicz, Rinat Nigmatullin, Frederik Claeyssens, Ipsita Roy, John W. Haycock
Summary: The use of nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) is an effective method for treating peripheral nerve injuries. However, NGCs lack the specific guidance cues found in nerve grafts and are not suitable for treating large gap injuries. The use of intraluminal aligned fiber guidance scaffolds has been shown to enhance neuronal cell neurite outgrowth and Schwann cell migration distances.
ACS BIOMATERIALS SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)