To
investigate the synergistic effect of brain-derived neurotrophic
factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on cavernous
nerve regeneration, two different aligned scaffolds consisting of
coaxial electrospun silk fibers were prepared by switching the position
of the two factors in either core or shell domain. The order and release
rate of the dual factors delivery were relatively different because
of the distinct location of two factors in coaxial fibers. An in vitro
assay showed that the inner-VEGF/outer-BDNF scaffolds could more obviously
accelerate Schwann cells growth, proliferation and spreading owing
to the rapid release of BDNF. However, in vivo scaffold implantation
demonstrated that the inner-BDNF/outer-VEGF scaffolds significantly
facilitated more angiogenesis, and promoted more nerve regeneration
based on great benefit of angiogenesis. Results showed that the reasonable
dual-delivery order of VEGF and BDNF from scaffolds could enhance
synergistic effect of the factors and promote cavernous nerve regeneration.
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