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Updated: Dec 2, 2025
Preparation and Characterization of Graphene-Based 3D Biohybrid Hydrogel Bioink for Peripheral Neuroengineering
Published on: May 16, 2022
Reduced graphene oxide-GelMA-PCL hybrid nanofibers for peripheral nerve regeneration
Xingxing Fang1, Haichang Guo2, Wei Zhang3
1Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, 100044, China. zhangpeixun@bjmu.edu.cn and Department of Spine Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510630, China and National Center for Trauma Medicine, Beijing, 100044, China and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, CAPT/HEDPS, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China. slbai@pku.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Graphene oxide is currently used in peripheral nerve engineering but has certain limitations, such as cytotoxicity and lack of electrical conductivity, both of which are crucial in regulating nerve-associated cell behaviors. In this work, we engineered reduced graphene oxide-GelMA-PCL nanofiber nerve guidance conduits via electrospinning. rGO incorporated into the GelMA/PCL matrix significantly enhanced the electrical conductivity and biocompatibility of the hybrid materials. In addition, hybrid nanofibers with low concentrations of rGO (0.25 and 0.5 wt%) could significantly improve the proliferation of Schwann cells (RSC96). More importantly, rGO/GelMA/PCL hybrid nanofibers could activate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene expression of Schwann cells (RSC96). From the in vivo study, it was observed that rGO/GelMA/PCL nerve guidance conduits could promote both sensory/motor nerve regeneration and functional recovery in rats. Our composite strategy of combining rGO within a biocompatible nanofiber scaffold is simple but effective in improving tissue engineering outcomes. The rGO/GelMA/PCL hybrid nanofibers have great potential in peripheral nerve tissue engineering. They will also provide an experimental basis for the development of further electrical stimulation in peripheral nerve regeneration.
