中国神经再生研究(英文版) ›› 2018, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (7): 1179-1180.doi: 10.4103/1673-5374.235023

• 观点:周围神经损伤修复保护与再生 • 上一篇    下一篇

京尼平处理壳聚糖纳米纤维作为一种新型生物材料与自体骨髓许旺细胞联合应用增强周围神经再生

  

  • 收稿日期:2018-04-28 出版日期:2018-07-15 发布日期:2018-07-15

Optimization of nanofiber scaffold properties towards nerve guidance channel design

Graham Ka-Hon Shea1, Francis Mok2   

  1. 1 Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China;
    2 Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China
  • Received:2018-04-28 Online:2018-07-15 Published:2018-07-15
  • Contact: Graham Ka-Hon Shea, MBBS, Ph.D.,gkshea@hku.hk

摘要:

orcid: 0000-0003-3480-371X (Graham Ka-Hon Shea)

Abstract:

Nerve guidance channels are limited by lack of topographical guidance: Treatment of sizeable nerve gaps remains problematic following peripheral nerve injury. Functional outcomes are good when neurorrhaphy, or direct end-to-end suture repair, is possible.The problem arises when there is significant segmental loss, which can occur following trauma as well as oncological procedures. In such scenarios, it is often not possible to appose severed nerve ends without causing significant tension. The current gold standard for management is to utilize autologous nerve grafts, commonly obtained from the sural nerve, to bridge these defects. This inevitably results in loss of cutaneous sensation over the lower limb, and the risk of donor site morbidities including infection and scarring.Suitable donor nerves remain finite in supply, and are often not ideally matched with recipient sites in terms of calibre and length.Nerve guidance channels have been designed to address these limitations, with proximal and distal nerve stumps telescoped and sutured to the ends of the artificial conduit during operative repair.Design objectives of nerve guidance channels have evolved over time with the emergence of new materials. Silicone represents a first-generation channel utilized to restore continuity and to prevent fibrous ingrowth from surrounding tissues. In being non-resorbable, silicone tubes frequently had to be removed as they caused extrinsic compression, offsetting their usefulness despite promising functional recovery. Thus, second-generation conduits shifted towards usage of biodegradable materials. These include commercially available products composed of collagen (Neuragen, Neuroflex, NeuroMatrix), polyglycolic acid (Neurotube),polylactide-caprolactone (Neurolac) and polyvinylalcohol-based hydrogel (SaluTunnel). It is essential that the next generation of guidance channels can facilitate repair across larger nerve gaps, with 2 cm representing a critical threshold beyond which the performance of artificial conduits remains fair. The present generation of nerve guidance channels are lacking in microstructure to provide physical guidance of the regenerative process. Provision of nanotopography within the channel lumen serves to minimize aberrant sprouting, and potentially enhance regeneration along the intended axis.