Anisotropic Silk-Inspired Nerve Conduit with Peptides Improved the Microenvironment for Long-Distance Peripheral
Xiaoxuan Tang1,2, Xinyi Gu1, Tingting Huang1
1Key Laboratory of Neuroregeneration, Ministry of Education and Jiangsu Province, Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Jiangsu Clinical Medicine Center of Tissue Engineering and Nerve Injury Repair, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, PR China.
Abstract:
A lack of effective bioactivity to create a desirable microenvironment for peripheral nerve regeneration has been challenging in successful treatment of long-distance injuries using nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) clinically. Herein, we developed a silk-inspired phototriggered gelation system combining dual therapeutic cues of anisotropic topography and adhesive ligands for improving peripheral nerve regeneration. Importantly, enhanced cell recruitment and myelination of Schwann cells were successfully achieved by the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-peptide-immobilized hydrogel scaffolds to promote axon growth. Moreover, as the orientated growth of Schwann cells and rapid axon growth were facilitated by aligned grooved micropatterns, this multifunctional bioactive system provides remarkable nerve regeneration with function recovery for long-distance nerve injury. Therefore, this bioengineered silk-inspired nerve guidance conduit delivers a platform for desirable peripheral nerve repair.
