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Mimosa-Inspired Stimuli-Responsive Curling Bioadhesive Tape Promotes Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Meng Zhang1, Heng An2, Zhen Gu2
1Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Peking University People's Hospital, Key Laboratory of Trauma and Neural Regeneration (Peking University), Ministry of Education, National Center for Trauma Medicine, Beijing, 100044, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|May 19, 2023
Summary
A novel suture-free hydrogel tape inspired by Mimosa pudica offers a promising solution for peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs). This adaptable biomaterial promotes nerve regeneration and simplifies surgical repair.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) present significant therapeutic challenges due to nerve variability, slow regeneration, and surgical complexities.
- Current surgical interventions like suturing can cause further nerve damage.
- There is a critical need for nerve scaffolds with biocompatibility, adaptability, and seamless tissue integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and develop a diameter-adaptable, suture-free, stimulated curling bioadhesive tape (SCT) hydrogel for PNI repair.
- To create a bionic scaffold that mimics natural nerve structures and facilitates axonal regeneration.
- To evaluate the efficacy of the SCT hydrogel in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of the SCT hydrogel using chitosan and acrylic acid-N-hydroxysuccinimide lipid via gradient crosslinking with glutaraldehyde.
- Development of a diameter-adaptable hydrogel that conforms to varying nerve sizes.
- Loading the chitosan-based SCT hydrogel with insulin-like growth factor-I to enhance bioactivity.
Main Results:
- The SCT hydrogel demonstrated diameter adaptability, closely matching diverse nerve structures.
- The hydrogel achieved durable wet-interface adhesion by rapidly absorbing tissue fluid.
- SCT hydrogel loaded with insulin-like growth factor-I significantly promoted peripheral nerve regeneration.
Conclusions:
- The developed SCT hydrogel provides an effective, suture-free solution for PNI repair.
- This innovative hydrogel simplifies surgical procedures, reducing difficulty and duration.
- The SCT hydrogel represents an advancement in adaptive biointerfaces and reliable materials for nerve regeneration.
