Advanced Science (Jul 2022)

Magnesium‐Encapsulated Injectable Hydrogel and 3D‐Engineered Polycaprolactone Conduit Facilitate Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

  • Zhi Yao,
  • Weihao Yuan,
  • Jiankun Xu,
  • Wenxue Tong,
  • Jie Mi,
  • Pak‐Cheong Ho,
  • Dick Ho Kiu Chow,
  • Ye Li,
  • Hao Yao,
  • Xu Li,
  • Shunxiang Xu,
  • Jiaxin Guo,
  • Qingtang Zhu,
  • Liming Bian,
  • Ling Qin

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202202102
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 21
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

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Abstract Peripheral nerve injury is a challenging orthopedic condition that can be treated by autograft transplantation, a gold standard treatment in the current clinical setting. Nevertheless, limited availability of autografts and potential morbidities in donors hampers its widespread application. Bioactive scaffold‐based tissue engineering is a promising strategy to promote nerve regeneration. Additionally, magnesium (Mg) ions enhance nerve regeneration; however, an effectively controlled delivery vehicle is necessary to optimize their in vivo therapeutic effects. Herein, a bisphosphonate‐based injectable hydrogel exhibiting sustained Mg2+ delivery for peripheral nerve regeneration is developed. It is observed that Mg2+ promoted neurite outgrowth in a concentration‐dependent manner by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and Sema5b. Moreover, implantation of polycaprolactone (PCL) conduits filled with Mg2+‐releasing hydrogel in 10 mm nerve defects in rats significantly enhanced axon regeneration and remyelination at 12 weeks post‐operation compared to the controls (blank conduits or conduits filled with Mg2+‐absent hydrogel). Functional recovery analysis reveals enhanced reinnervation in the animals treated with the Mg2+‐releasing hydrogel compared to that in the control groups. In summary, the Mg2+‐releasing hydrogel combined with the 3D‐engineered PCL conduit promotes peripheral nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Thus, a new strategy to facilitate the repair of challenging peripheral nerve injuries is proposed.

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