Facial nerve regeneration via body-brain crosstalk: The role of stem cells and biomaterials

Yuping Xie; Chuan Ma; Qiang Zhu; Ting Fu; Long Bai; Xiaorong Lan; Lin Liu; Jingang Xiao

Neurobiology of Disease (Oct 2024)

Facial nerve regeneration via body-brain crosstalk: The role of stem cells and biomaterials

Yuping Xie,
Chuan Ma,
Qiang Zhu,
Ting Fu,
Long Bai,
Xiaorong Lan,
Lin Liu,
Jingang Xiao

Affiliations

Yuping Xie: Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
Chuan Ma: Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
Qiang Zhu: Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
Ting Fu: Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
Long Bai: Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
Xiaorong Lan: Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
Lin Liu: Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; Correspondence to: Lin Liu, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, Luzhou 646000, China.
Jingang Xiao: Department of Oral Implantology, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; Luzhou Key Laboratory of Oral & Maxillofacial Reconstruction and Regeneration, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China; Correspondence to: Jingang Xiao, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The Affiliated Stomatological Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 200
p. 106650

Abstract

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The human body is a complex, integral whole, and disruptions in one organ can lead to dysfunctions in other parts of the organ network. The facial nerve, as the seventh cranial nerve, arises from the brainstem, controls facial expression muscles and plays a crucial role in brain-body communication. This vulnerable nerve can be damaged by trauma, inflammation, tumors, and congenital diseases, often impairing facial expression. Stem cells have gained significant attention for repairing peripheral nerve injuries due to their multidirectional differentiation potential. Additionally, various biomaterials have been used in tissue engineering for regeneration and repair. However, the therapeutic potential of stem cells and biomaterials in treating facial nerve injuries requires further exploration. In this review, we summarize the roles of stem cells and biomaterials in the regeneration and repair of damaged facial nerves, providing a theoretical basis for the recovery and reconstruction of body-brain crosstalk between the brain and facial expression muscles.

Published in Neurobiology of Disease

ISSN: 0969-9961 (Print); 1095-953X (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neurosciences. Biological psychiatry. Neuropsychiatry
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/neurobiology-of-disease

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