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Updated: Jul 25, 2025
Neuron-Macrophage Co-cultures to Activate Macrophages Secreting Molecular Factors with Neurite Outgrowth Activity
Published on: March 30, 2018
Nanofibrous polycaprolactone/amniotic membrane facilitates peripheral nerve regeneration by promoting macrophage
Chunjie Liu1, Dengxiang Liu2, Xiaochong Zhang3
1Xingtai People's Hospital Postdoctoral Workstation, Xingtai People's Hospital, Xingtai 054031, China; Postdoctoral Mobile Station, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China; Department of Orthopedics, Tangshan Workers Hospital, Tangshan 063000, China.
Abstract:
Appropriate levels of inflammation are an important part of functional repair of nerve damage. However, excessive inflammation can cause the continuous activation of immune inflammatory cells and degeneration of nerve cells. Regulating the temporal and spatial changes in M1/M2 macrophages can regulate the local inflammatory immune environment of the tissue to promote its transformation to a direction conducive to tissue repair.In the present study, a multi-layer multifunctional nanofiber composite membrane of polycaprolactone(PCL) and amniotic membrane (AM) was constructed using electrospinning. In vitro studies have shown that the PCL/AM composite promoted the axon growth of SH-SY5Y cells and induced their differentiation into neurons. The PCL/AM composite wrapped the nerve stump to form a microenvironment that was conducive to nerve regeneration, blocked the invasion of scar tissue, promoted the recruitment of macrophages and moderate polarization to M2, enhanced the expression of anti-inflammatory factors IL-10 and IL-13, inhibited the expression of pro-inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α, and induced myelin sheath and axon regeneration. By releasing various bioactive substances to regulate the polarization of M2 macrophages and formation of anti-inflammatory factors, the PCL/AM composite can enhance axonal regeneration and improve nerve repair.
Insights
This study developed a polycaprolactone/amniotic membrane (PCL/AM) nanofiber composite to improve nerve repair. The PCL/AM composite promotes M2 macrophage polarization, reduces inflammation, and enhances axon regeneration for better nerve healing.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Inflammation plays a dual role in nerve damage repair, with excessive inflammation hindering nerve regeneration.
- Macrophages, specifically M1 and M2 subtypes, are crucial in modulating the local inflammatory environment.
- Effective nerve regeneration requires precise regulation of the inflammatory response and macrophage polarization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a multifunctional nanofiber composite for nerve tissue engineering.
- To investigate the PCL/AM composite's ability to modulate macrophage polarization and reduce inflammation.
- To evaluate the PCL/AM composite's efficacy in promoting nerve regeneration and functional repair.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a multi-layer, multifunctional nanofiber composite membrane using polycaprolactone (PCL) and amniotic membrane (AM) via electrospinning.
- In vitro assessment of the PCL/AM composite's effect on SH-SY5Y cell axon growth and neuronal differentiation.
- In vivo evaluation of the PCL/AM composite's impact on nerve stump microenvironment, scar tissue invasion, macrophage recruitment and polarization, inflammatory factor expression, and nerve regeneration.
Main Results:
- The PCL/AM composite promoted axon growth and neuronal differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells in vitro.
- In vivo, the PCL/AM composite formed a supportive microenvironment, blocked scar tissue invasion, and recruited macrophages.
- The composite induced M2 macrophage polarization, enhanced anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10, IL-13), inhibited pro-inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α), and promoted myelin sheath and axon regeneration.
Conclusions:
- The PCL/AM nanofiber composite effectively regulates the local inflammatory environment by promoting M2 macrophage polarization and balancing inflammatory factors.
- This biomaterial provides a promising strategy for enhancing axonal regeneration and improving nerve repair outcomes.
- The PCL/AM composite demonstrates significant potential as a therapeutic scaffold for nerve damage treatment.
