Micropattern-based nerve guidance conduit with hundreds of microchannels and stem cell recruitment for nerve regeneration

npj Regenerative Medicine, 2022 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41536-022-00257-0 · Published: December 1, 2022

Simple Explanation

The study addresses the challenge of effectively regenerating nerve fibers after peripheral or spinal cord injuries. The researchers developed a nerve guidance conduit (NGC) with controllable size, numerous microchannels, and the ability to attract host stem cells, aiming to improve nerve regeneration. The NGC was fabricated using a micropattern-based method combined with substance P (SP) immobilization to align nerve fiber regrowth and recruit host stem cells.

Study Duration

12 weeks

Participants

Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The SP-immobilized multiple microchannels aligned the regrowth of nerve fibres and recruited the host stem cells, which enhanced the functional regeneration capacity.
2
Multichannel NGCs (mNGCs) with various sizes of microchannels were fabricated to demonstrate the size tunability.
3
The mspNGC recruited endogenous stem cells with a high regenerative potential into multiple channels.

Research Summary

This study introduces a micropattern-based method for fabricating size-tunable nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) with hundreds of microchannels capable of recruiting stem cells, achieved via substance P (SP)-immobilized PLCL. The multichannel NGC maximizes functional recovery by minimizing mismatched reinnervation, guiding the target fiber along the channel. The NGCs induce enhanced nerve regeneration by recruiting endogenous stem cells through substance P.

Practical Implications

Enhanced Nerve Regeneration

The developed mNGCs and mspNGCs showed promising results in guiding nerve regeneration and recruiting stem cells, potentially improving functional recovery after PNI and SCI.

Structural Modification Potential

The ability to manipulate the overall morphology of NGCs, allowing for bonding and stacking, suggests applicability in bifurcated nerve tissues and other complex nerve injuries.

SCI Application

The proposed NGCs can be used for other nerve injuries, including SCI regeneration.

Study Limitations

1
Accelerated degradation of mspNGC.
2
Degradation rate needs to be optimized.
3
Long-term efficacy of star-shaped PLCL with stem cell recruitment function is limited.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Regenerative Medicine