Micro-nanofiber composite biomimetic conduits promote long-gap peripheral nerve regeneration in canine models

Improved Physiochemical Properties of Chitosan@PCL Nerve Conduits by Natural Molecule Crosslinking

“…This evidence is supported by a reported reduction of the chitosan matrix wall's thickness, measured both in a dry and fully hydrated state, for genipin-crosslinked conduits with respect to the original chitosan conduits (Table 1). Interestingly, the Chi@PCL + GEN external and internal surfaces appeared smoother and much less porous than the original chitosan conduits (Figure 2), with smaller pores (Figure 3b,c) without the elongated shape that characterizes non-crosslinked conduits (Figure 3e,f; p < 0.0005), demonstrating that our genipin-crosslinking reaction was able to markedly reduce the conduits' pore dimensions, laying an encouraging basis for enhanced nerve regeneration in vivo since it is reported in the literature that low-porosity conduits may provide a more efficient barrier to the infiltration of fibroblasts and fibrous tissue into the internal lumen of the conduit, thus favoring the nerve regeneration process [65,66]. In particular, a recent study supported this evidence by in vitro testing, suggesting that low porosity and a small pore size is a crucial factor for preventing excessive fibrotic tissue entrance into the internal lumen of the conduit [10].…”

Projection-based 3D printing of multichannel poly(caprolactone) methacrylate nerve guidance conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration

“…Consequently, neurological function restoration can be indirectly observed through changes in innervated muscles. 43 After 12 weeks of implantation, H&E and Masson's trichrome staining of the gastrocnemius muscle revealed the muscle fiber morphology in all experimental groups. Evident signs of muscle atrophy and collagen deposition were noted, specifically in the 1-channel NGCs (Fig.…”

Cell Heterogeneity and Variability in Peripheral Nerve after Injury

“…Our team has been working on the research of peripheral nerve injury repair for many years, combining materials with cells, extracellular matrix, and tissue engineering to explore new methods for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury. In our previous studies about tissue-engineered nerve grafts, micro-nanofiber composite biomimetics had a significant directional guiding effect on SCs [ 60 ]; bionic peptide hydrogel scaffold promoted the transformation of M2 macrophages in situ and led to the proliferation and migration of SCs and the growth of axons [ 61 ]. We want to explore the cell heterogeneity in peripheral nerves, especially at the site of injury, which will give us more reference for screening cells to construct tissue-engineered nerves.…”