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Updated: Apr 27, 2026
Electrospinning Growth Factor Releasing Microspheres into Fibrous Scaffolds
Published on: August 16, 2014
Incorporation of chitosan microspheres into collagen-chitosan scaffolds for the controlled release of nerve growth
Wen Zeng1, Mengyao Rong2, Xueyu Hu3
1Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China; Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
Background:
Artifical nerve scaffold can be used as a promising alternative to autologous nerve grafts to enhance the repair of peripheral nerve defects. However, current nerve scaffolds lack efficient microstructure and neurotrophic support.
Methods:
Microsphere-Scaffold composite was developed by incorporating chitosan microspheres loaded with nerve growth factor (NGF-CMSs) into collagen-chitosan scaffolds (CCH) with longitudinally oriented microchannels (NGF-CMSs/CCH). The morphological characterizations, in vitro release kinetics study, neurite outgrowth assay, and bioactivity assay were evaluated. After that, a 15-mm-long sciatic nerve gap in rats was bridged by the NGF-CMSs/CCH, CCH physically absorbed NGF (NGF/CCH), CCH or nerve autograft. 16 weeks after implantation, electrophysiology, fluoro-gold retrograde tracing, and nerve morphometry were performed.
Results:
The NGF-CMSs were evenly distributed throughout the longitudinally oriented microchannels of the scaffold. The NGF-CMSs/CCH was capable of sustained release of bioactive NGF within 28 days as compared with others in vitro. In vivo animal study demonstrated that the outcomes of NGF-CMSs/CCH were better than those of NGF/CCH or CCH.
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that incorporation of NGF-CMSs into the CCH may be a promising tool in the repair of peripheral nerve defects.
