Aligned Electroactive Electrospun Fibrous Scaffolds for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Neuroscience
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Large peripheral nerve deficits require effective repair strategies.
• Biofunctional electroactive scaffolds can serve as bridges for nerve defect repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct a biomimetic piezoelectric and conductive aligned polypyrrole (PPy)/polydopamine (PDA)/poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) electrospun fibrous scaffold.
• To enhance hydrophilicity and cellular compatibility of PLLA and restore PDA's piezoelectric effect.
• To promote Schwann cell differentiation and neuronal extension for nerve regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of aligned PPy/PDA/PLLA electrospun fibrous scaffolds.
• Bridging a 10 mm sciatic nerve deficit in Sprague-Dawley rats.
• Assessment of nerve regeneration, functional recovery, and underlying signaling pathways (calcium and AMP-activated protein kinase).

Main Results:

• The scaffold improved hydrophilicity and cellular compatibility.
• It promoted Schwann cell differentiation and dorsal root ganglion neuronal alignment.
• Successful nerve regeneration and functional recovery were observed in rats, with prevention of autotomy.

Conclusions:

• The aligned electroactive fibrous scaffold shows significant potential for neural tissue regeneration.
• This approach effectively bridges large nerve defects and restores function.
• Activation of specific signaling pathways contributes to the observed regenerative effects.