Development of a polyacrylamide/chitosan composite hydrogel conduit containing synergistic cues of elasticity and topographies for promoting peripheral nerve regeneration

• DOI: 10.1039/d2bm00327a
• Publication Date: 2022-07-12T06:21:23Z
• Authors: Fang Liu; Jiawei Xu; Anning Liu; Linliang Wu; Dongzhi Wang; Qi Han; Tiantian Zheng; Feiran Wang; Yan Kong; Guicai Li; Peng Li; Shouyong Gu; Yumin Yang
• Keywords: Neurite; Nerve guidance conduit; Dorsal root ganglion; Peripheral nerve injury

Substrate elasticity and topographical guidance are crucial factors for regulating tissue regeneration, but the synergistic effects of both cues on peripheral nerve regeneration still unclear. In this paper, polyacrylamide/chitosan (PAM/CS) composite hydrogels with characteristics morphology were prepared using in situ free-radical polymerization micro-molding. The physicochemical properties characterized, effect was systematically evaluated via vitro vivo experiments, respectively. experiments showed that a PAM/CS hydrogel an elastic modulus 5.822 kPa/8.41 kPa surface groove width 30 μm, dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurite had strong growth ability better-oriented status. samples taken from each group at 2 12 weeks after bridging rabbit sciatic defects conduit. General observation body transplanted nerve, electro-physiological examination, muscle wet weight recovery rate detection comparison, frozen section immunofluorescence staining myelinated fiber comparison used to evaluate transplantation. 8.41 μm similar those autograft group. At same time, signaling pathways, including focal adhesion markers vinculin, p-FAK, Rho A protein, referring axon extension, initially revealed. summary, our developed implants containing topographies may provide new effective strategy treatment injury future.