Nanofiber scaffolds facilitate functional regeneration of peripheral nerve injury

Peripheral nerve injury still remains a refractory challenge for both clinical and basic researchers. A novel nanofiber conduit made of blood vessel and filled with amphiphilic hydrogel of self-assembling nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS) was implanted to repair a 10 mm nerve gap after sciatic nerve transection. Empty blood vessel conduit was implanted serving as control. Results showed that this novel nanofiber conduit enabled the peripheral axons to regenerate across and beyond the 10 mm gap. Motoneuron protection, axonal regeneration and remyelination were significantly enhanced with SAPNS scaffold treatments. The target reinnervation and functional recovery induced by the regenerative nerve conduit suggest that SAPNS-based conduit is highly promising application in the treatment of peripheral nerve defect.From the Clinical EditorIn this paper by Zhan et al, a novel self-assembling nanofiber scaffold is reported to promote regeneration of peripheral nerves in a sciatic nerve injury model. The promising results and the obvious medical need raises hope for a clinical translation of this approach hopefully in the near future.

Graphical AbstractNovel bioengineered peripheral nerve conduit was constructed with self-assembling nanofiber scaffold (SAPNS) enhanced with aorta canal segment serving as conduit sheath. A 10 mm nerve defect after sciatic nerve transection was bridged with such amphiphilic hydrogel based Nanofiber Nerve conduit (NNC) mainly compared with group treated with saline-filled empty nerve conduit (NNC). By virtue of multiple unique properties of SAPNS conduit endowed, peripheral nerve regeneration, motoneuronal protection, axonal remyelination and distal target reinnervation along with locomotor functional recovery were significant improved through 16 weeks after treatments compared with control groups.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (137 K)Download as PowerPoint slide