Repairing peripheral nerve defects with revascularized tissue‐engineered nerve based on a vascular endothelial growth factor‐heparin sustained release system

Abstract

To enhance the angiogenic capacity of tissue-engineered peripheral nerves, we have constructed revascularized tissue-engineered nerves based on a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-heparin sustained release system. However, the effects of the repair of large peripheral nerve defects are not known. In this study, we used the above revascularized tissue-engineered nerve to repair large nerve defects in rats. The repair effects were observed through general observation, functional evaluation of nerve regeneration, ultrasound examination, neural electrophysiology, wet weight ratio of bilateral gastrocnemius muscle, histological evaluation, and quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. The results showed that the tissueengineered peripheral nerve based on a VEGF-heparin sustained release system can achieve early vascularization and restore blood supply in the nerve graft area. The realization of early vascularization in the area of the nerve defect greatly promotes the speed of nerve regeneration and reconstruction in the area of the nerve defect, which greatly advances the process of nerve repair and reconstruction and accelerates the restoration of the normal morphological structure and function of peripheral nerves.

Localized delivery of brain-derived neurotrophic factor from PLGA microspheres promotes peripheral nerve regeneration in rats

“…In recent years, the incidence of chronic wounds with defect to peripheral nerves has increased [ 1 , 2 ]. Repair of peripheral nerve defect presents a considerable challenge for reconstructive surgeons [ 3 – 5 ]. Although peripheral nerves exhibit greater regenerative abilities after nerve injury as compared with central nerves, peripheral nerve injury, especially peripheral nerve injury with long nerve defects, is still a severe health problem.…”

hiPSC-derived 3D Bioprinted Skeletal Muscle Tissue Implants Regenerate Skeletal Muscle Following Volumetric Muscle Loss

“…We observed a 3-fold increase in VEGF secretion over the course of the second to third week after the induction of hiPSC-MPC differentiation, which contributed to axonal growth, angiogenesis and later muscle regeneration over the course of the in vivo study. [71][72][73][74][75] Overall, the vascularized hiPSC-MPC laden muscle constructs showed increased muscle regeneration, angiogenesis and maintenance of potent stem cells compared to control groups (V2 and V1). Together, these results provide a VML repair strategy based on pre-vascularized large-scale hiPSC-derived skeletal muscle implants.…”

A nerve conduit filled with Wnt5a‐loaded fibrin hydrogels promotes peripheral nerve regeneration

“…40 NTFs, such as VEGF, NGF, and CNTF, which indicated that it may be superior to previous single NTF delivery systems. 37,42 Additionally, we used a single signaling molecule, rather than multiple neurotrophic factors to obtain multiple neurotrophin secretions, which is a more convenient drug delivery approach compared with traditional approaches. 41,43 The animal experimental results showed that the Wnt5a solution group was superior to the hollow group in terms of myelinated nerve fiber density, CMAP amplitude, and wet weight ratio of the gastrocnemius muscle.…”