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Tissue-Engineered Fibrous Nerve Conduits Link Facial Nerve Repair with Central Network Reorganization
Bowen Gong1, Manxi Xu2,3, Aocai Yang2
1Beijing Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, State Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, P. R. China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|August 10, 2026
Summary
Peripheral nerve injury impacts central networks. A new engineered nerve guidance conduit (NGC) successfully regenerated nerves and restored function by integrating peripheral repair with central network reorganization.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Neuroscience
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Peripheral nerve injuries cause lasting sensorimotor deficits.
- Central nervous system (CNS) sensorimotor network changes are linked to nerve injury.
- Current repair methods focus on peripheral regeneration, neglecting CNS integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sensorimotor network alterations in facial nerve injury patients using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).
- To develop and evaluate a tissue-engineered nerve guidance conduit (NGC) for peripheral nerve repair.
- To assess the impact of the engineered NGC on both peripheral regeneration and central neural network recovery.
Main Methods:
- Clinical rs-fMRI in facial nerve injury patients.
- Development of a tissue-engineered NGC with aligned nanofibers, nerve growth factor, and Schwann-like cells.
- In vitro neurite extension assays.
- Rat facial nerve injury model for in vivo testing.
- Post-repair assessment using rs-fMRI, voxel-based morphometry, and functional recovery evaluation.
Main Results:
- rs-fMRI identified sensorimotor network alterations in patients.
- The engineered NGC promoted axonal regeneration and remyelination in rats.
- Facial motor function recovery in rats was comparable to autografts.
- Engineered NGC repair led to enhanced sensorimotor network functional connectivity.
- Gray matter alterations normalized following repair with the engineered conduit.
Conclusions:
- Tissue-engineered NGCs can effectively promote peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery.
- Biomaterial-assisted nerve repair influences central sensorimotor network dynamics.
- This approach offers a strategy for integrating peripheral repair with central functional reorganization.
- The engineered NGC shows potential for treating peripheral nerve injuries by addressing both local and central effects.