Newly Designed PCL-Wrapped Cryogel-Based Conduit Activated with IKVAV Peptide Derivative for Peripheral Nerve Repair
Abdulla Yergeshov1,2, Mohamed Zoughaib1,2, Kenana Dayob1,2
1Scientific and Educational Center of Pharmaceutics, Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, 18 Kremlyovskaya St., 420008 Kazan, Russia.
Pharmaceutics
|January 8, 2025
Summary
This study developed a novel nerve conduit using IKVAV-peptide-functionalized cryogels to repair peripheral nerve injuries. The implant promoted significant nerve regeneration and functional recovery in rats.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Peripheral nerve (PN) repair strategies are limited.
- Extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking scaffolds are promising for PN repair.
- Combining cryogels with synthetic peptides for ECM-mimicking scaffolds is underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel PN conduit prototype.
- To create an ECM-mimicking scaffold using IKVAV-peptide-functionalized cryogels.
- To assess the efficacy of the scaffold in a rat sciatic nerve injury model.
Main Methods:
- IKVAV peptide was cross-linked with gelatin to form proteinaceous cryogels.
- Cryogels were incorporated into a polycaprolactone (PCL) shell to create a nerve conduit (NC).
- The NC was implanted into sciatic nerve defects in rats to evaluate repair.
Main Results:
- The NC did not affect fibroblast viability.
- Peptide concentration influenced cryogel properties and neurogenic cell behavior.
- In vivo implantation showed improved electromyographic recovery and nerve tissue repair over eight weeks.
Conclusions:
- A novel PN conduit prototype based on IKVAV-activated cryogel was successfully developed.
- The developed scaffold demonstrated significant regenerative activity in vivo.
- This approach can be utilized to create other ECM-mimicking scaffolds for tissue regeneration.
