Therapeutic Advances in Peripheral Nerve Injuries: Nerve-Guided Conduit and Beyond

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biotechnology
• Neurosurgery

Background:

• Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) causes significant functional loss and neuropathic pain.
• Autografts are the current standard treatment for peripheral nerve deficits.
• Existing reviews cover PNI mechanisms and treatments but lack focus on recent innovations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize recent advancements in tissue engineering for PNI treatment.
• To emphasize the clinical translation of four-dimensional (4D) bioprinting and exosome therapies.
• To propose a framework for developing clinically viable PNI solutions.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of current literature on PNI, tissue engineering, 4D bioprinting, and exosome therapies.
• Critical evaluation of emerging innovations, including dynamically adaptive 4D-printed nerve conduits.
• Consolidation of findings from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic applications.

Main Results:

• 4D bioprinting and exosome therapies are emerging as promising alternatives to autografts.
• These advanced therapies demonstrate potential for functional restoration after PNI.
• Dynamically adaptive nerve conduits represent a key innovation in 4D bioprinting.

Conclusions:

• Tissue engineering, particularly 4D bioprinting and exosome therapies, offers new avenues for PNI treatment.
• These innovations have the potential to achieve functional recovery comparable to autografts.
• Further research and development are needed to translate these experimental strategies into clinical practice.