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Properties Regulation and Biological Applications of Decellularized Peripheral Nerve Matrix Hydrogel
Sheng Liu1,2, Zilong Rao3, Jianlong Zou4
1State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, China.
ACS Applied Bio Materials
|January 10, 2022
Summary
Decellularized nerve matrix hydrogel (DNM-G) shows tunable mechanical and biological properties by adjusting formation conditions. This neural tissue engineering scaffold promotes neurite growth and myelination, with potential for 3D printing applications in regenerative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Decellularized peripheral nerve matrix hydrogel (DNM-G) is a promising biomaterial for neural tissue engineering due to its bioactivity and processability.
- Understanding the formation mechanisms and influencing factors of DNM-G is crucial for its biological applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between gelation conditions and the mechanical properties/stability of DNM-G.
- To explore the potential of DNM-G as a scaffold for neural regeneration and 3D printing.
Main Methods:
- Systematic investigation of gelation conditions (digestion time, gel concentration) and their impact on DNM-G properties (sol-gel transition temperature, gelation time, nanotopology, storage modulus).
- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and circular dichroism (CD) for structural analysis.
- Degradation studies in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).
- Genipin cross-linking to enhance stability.
- In vitro assessment of neurite outgrowth, myelination, and neural network formation using dorsal root ganglion (DRG) explants.
- Evaluation of 3D printability.
Main Results:
- Adequate digestion of decellularized nerve matrix solution improved mechanical properties, shortened gelation time, and lowered gelation temperature.
- Increased β-sheet proportion was observed during phase transition, indicating secondary structure formation.
- DNM-G exhibited rapid degradation (over 70% mass loss in 4 weeks in PBS).
- Genipin cross-linking enhanced mechanical properties and stability without altering microstructure or biological performance.
- DNM-G significantly promoted DRG neurite outgrowth, penetration depth, myelination, and neural network formation compared to collagen gel.
- DNM-G demonstrated feasibility for support-free extrusion-based 3D printing.
Conclusions:
- The mechanical and biological performance of DNM-G can be effectively modulated by tuning processing parameters.
- DNM-G serves as a promising scaffold for neural tissue engineering, enhancing neurite regeneration and myelination.
- The study highlights the potential of DNM-G for versatile applications in regenerative medicine, including 3D bioprinting.
