Peptide amphiphile nanofiber hydrogel delivery of sonic hedgehog protein to the cavernous nerve to promote regeneration and prevent erectile dysfunction

Injury to the peripheral nerve that innervates the penis (cavernous nerve) occurs during prostatectomy, with diabetes and aging, and causes erectile dysfunction. Novel peptide amphiphile technology was used for sonic hedgehog protein delivery to the cavernous nerve from a manipulable supramolecular cable (via monodomain aligned nanofibers) to enhance nerve regeneration and prevent erectile dysfunction. Sonic hedgehog promotes regeneration by maintaining normal signaling between neurons and glia and to downstream targets, and by preventing neuronal degeneration. This study is significant because understanding how regeneration occurs can provide novel avenues for prevention and treatment of erectile dysfunction and other peripheral neuropathies.358