Tissue-Engineered Core-Shell Silk-Fibroin/Poly-l-Lactic Acid Nerve Guidance Conduit Containing Encapsulated Exosomes...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Nerve guide conduits (NGCs) show lower efficacy than autografts for peripheral nerve regeneration.
• Developing advanced NGCs is crucial for improving nerve repair outcomes.
• Human endometrial stem cell (EnSC)-derived exosomes offer potential therapeutic benefits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel tissue-engineered NGC encapsulated with human EnSC-derived exosomes.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of these Exo-NGCs in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration.
• To compare the regenerative potential of Exo-NGCs with conventional NGCs and autografts.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of double-layered SF/PLLA NGCs.
• Isolation and characterization of human EnSC-derived exosomes.
• Encapsulation of exosomes within NGCs using fibrin gel.
• In vivo evaluation in a rat sciatic nerve defect model (10 mm).
• Assessment of functional recovery (motor, sensory, electrophysiology) and histological analysis.

Main Results:

• Exo-NGCs significantly improved nerve regeneration compared to NGCs and autografts.
• Enhanced motor function, sensory response, and electrophysiological recovery were observed.
• Histopathology confirmed regenerated nerve fibers and neovascularization in the Exo-NGC group.
• The SF/PLLA core-shell structure demonstrated long-term efficacy and safety.

Conclusions:

• Encapsulated human EnSC-derived exosomes within SF/PLLA NGCs significantly enhance peripheral nerve regeneration.
• This novel Exo-NGC represents a promising cell-free therapeutic strategy for peripheral nerve defects.
• The developed NGCs promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery, offering an alternative to nerve grafting.