Wood-Inspired Bioadaptable Material with Neurite Outgrowth Guidance Structures, Superior Cell Microenvironment, and...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Neuroscience
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Peripheral nerve injuries pose significant clinical challenges.
• Autologous nerve transplantation is limited for long-gap defects, necessitating innovative repair strategies.
• Guiding neurite outgrowth is crucial for effective nerve regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a structurally stable, biomimetic composite for nerve regeneration.
• To investigate the composite's capacity to induce and guide directional neurite outgrowth.
• To explore the underlying mechanisms of enhanced nerve regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a wood hydrogel by integrating a cellulose framework with a gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) matrix.
• In vitro assessment of neurite outgrowth induction and guidance.
• Analysis of gene expression profiles related to cellular processes.
• Mechanistic investigation of the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway.

Main Results:

• The wood hydrogel demonstrated enhanced capacity for directional neurite outgrowth in vitro.
• The composite exhibited long-term structural stability and high water absorbency.
• Significant alterations in gene expression related to cytoskeletal reorganization and motility were observed.
• Synergistic effects of topographical cues and mechanical properties suppressed the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway.

Conclusions:

• The developed wood hydrogel is a promising biomimetic platform for guiding aligned neurite outgrowth.
• This hard-soft hybrid strategy offers a novel design concept for nerve tissue engineering.
• The material overcomes limitations of current nerve repair methods by combining structural integrity with biomimetic properties.