Sustain release of loaded insulin within biomimetic hydrogel microsphere for sciatic tissue engineering in vivo

We developed insulin loaded biomimetic microsphere by laccase-mediated crosslinking using a microfluidic device in the water-in-oil emulsion system as an injectable vehicle for the repair of sciatic tissue. Aqueous polymeric solution of phenol-substituted hyaluronic acid (HAPh) and collagen (ColPh) containing insulin and laccase flowed from the inner channel into oil flow within an outer channel which leads formation of hydrogel microsphere. The physical properties of prepared specimens including swelling rate, mechanical resistance and the prolonged release rate of microspheres proved applicability of fabricated vehicles for tissue engineering and drug delivery systems. The growth profile and behavior of cells in microspheres indicated cytocompatibility of the method and prepared vehicles for microtissue development. Histopathological examination revealed a significant increase in axonal regeneration, and remyelination process in injured sciatic nerve following treatment with HAPh/ColPh microspheres containing insulin compared to control groups. Also, the functional characteristic of sciatic tissue showed that the presence of biomimetic microsphere and insulin simultaneously had improved sciatic tissue functions including functional sciatic index (SFI) values, reaction to hot plate and muscle weight of rats. In summary, the results proved that composite biomimetic microspheres containing insulin effectively improved nerve regeneration in the rat model.

Differential effects of rat ADSCs encapsulation in fibrin matrix and combination delivery of BDNF and Gold nanoparticles on peripheral nerve regeneration

Background

Fibrin as an extracellular matrix feature like biocompatibility, creates a favorable environment for proliferation and migration of cells and it can act as a reservoir for storage and release of growth factors in tissue engineering.

Methods

In this study, the inner surface of electrospun poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanofibrous conduit was biofunctionalized with laminin containing brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and gold nanoparticles in chitosan nanoparticle. The rats were randomly divided into five groups, including autograft group as the positive control, PLGA conduit coated by laminin and filled with DMEM/F12, PLGA conduit coated by laminin and filled with rat-adipose derived stem cells (r-ADSCs), PLGA conduit coated by laminin containing gold-chitosan nanoparticles (AuNPs-CNPs), BDNF-chitosan nanoparticles (BDNF-CNPs) and filled with r-ADSCs or filled with r-ADSCs suspended in fibrin matrix, and they were implanted into a 10 mm rat sciatic nerve gap. Eventually, axonal regeneration and functional recovery were assessed after 12 weeks.

Results

After 3 months post-surgery period, the results showed that in the PLGA conduit filled with r-ADSCs without fibrin matrix group, positive effects were obtained as compared to other implanted groups by increasing the sciatic functional index significantly (p < 0.05). In addition, the diameter nerve fibers had a significant difference mean in the PLGA conduit coated by laminin and conduit filled with r-ADSCs in fibrin matrix groups relative to the autograft group (p < 0.001). However, G-ratio and amplitude (AMP) results showed that fibrin matrix might have beneficial effects on nerve regeneration but, immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR outcomes indicated that the implanted conduit which filled with r-ADSCs, with or without BDNF-CNPs and AuNPs-CNPs had significantly higher expression of S100 and MBP markers than other conduit implanted groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

It seems, in this study differential effects of fibrin matrix, could be interfered it with other factors thereby and further studies are required to determine the distinctive effects of fibrin matrix combination with other exogenous factors in peripheral nerve regeneration.

Application of electrospun polycaprolactone fibers embedding lignin nanoparticle for peripheral nerve regeneration: In vitro and in vivo study

Lignin displays attractive properties in peripheral nerve applications. Here, aligned polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers with various percentages of lignin nanoparticles were fabricated using the electrospinning method. The morphologies, contact angles, mechanical properties, in vitro degradation, and water uptake of the PCL/lignin fibers were characterized. Cell viability and adhesion of PC12 and human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were studied employing MTT assay and SEM, respectively. SEM, immunocytochemistry, and Real-Time PCR were utilized to characterize neural differentiation and neurite length of PC12 and hADSCs. To further study on lignin effect on nerve regeneration, in vivo studies were performed. The results indicated that all nanocomposite fibers were smooth and bead-free. With increasing the lignin content, the water contact angle decreased while in vitro degradation, water uptake, and Young's modulus increased compared to the PCL fibers. Cell viability, and differentiation along with neurite length extension were promoted by increasing lignin content. The neural markers expression for differentiated cells were upregulated by the increase of lignin percent. In vivo investigation also demonstrates that sample groups incorporating 15% lignin nanoparticles showed better regeneration among others. Therefore, PCL with 15% of lignin nanoparticles shows great potential to be applied for nerve regeneration.

Enhanced sciatic nerve regeneration by poly-L-lactic acid/multi-wall carbon nanotube neural guidance conduit containing Schwann cells and curcumin encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles in rat

The main aim of this study was to improve the efficacy of peripheral nerve regeneration by an artificial neural guidance conduit (NGC) as a carrier to transplant allogeneic Schwann cells (SCs) and curcumin encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles (nanocurcumin). The conduit was prepared by poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and surface-modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes (mMWCNT) and filled with SCs and nanocurcumin. SCs play an important role in the regeneration of injured peripheral nerve and controlled curcumin release can decrease SCs apoptosis, and enhance the regeneration and functional recovery of injured peripheral nerves. The mechanical properties, contact angle, and cell biocompatibility experiments showed that the optimized concentration of mMWCNT inside PLLA wall of conduits was 0.15 wt%. The drug release experiments showed slower release of curcumin from nanocurcumin samples compared to nanocurcumin encapsulated inside NGC wrapped fibrin gel sample. It was found that simultaneous using of both SCs and curcumin inside NGC had a significant role in sciatic nerve regeneration in vivo. Histological examination revealed a significant increase in the number of axons in injured sciatic nerve following treatment by SCs and nanocurcumin compared to negative control group. Histological evaluation also revealed a significant decrease in the number of vessels in fibrin groups compared to positive control group. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the reaction time and sciatic functional index (SFI) values of rats with injured sciatic nerve treated by NGC/SCs/nanocurcumin sample and autograft sample. In conclusion, our results strongly showed that PLLA/mMWCNT nanofibrous conduit filled with fibrin gel containing SCs and nanocurcumin is a proper strategy for improving nerve regeneration after a nerve transaction in the rat.

A novel polycaprolactone/carbon nanofiber composite as a conductive neural guidance channel: an in vitro and in vivo study

The current study aimed to investigate the potential of carbon nanofibers to promote peripheral nerve regeneration. The carbon nanofiber-imbedded scaffolds were produced from polycaprolactone and carbon nanofibers using thermally induced phase separation method. Electrospinning technique was utilized to fabricate polycaprolactone/collagen nanofibrous sheets. The incorporation of carbon nanofibers into polycaprolactone's matrix significantly reduced its electrical resistance from 4.3 × 109 ± 0.34 × 109 Ω to 8.7 × 104 ± 1.2 × 104 Ω. Further in vitro studies showed that polycaprolactone/carbon nanofiber scaffolds had the porosity of 82.9 ± 3.7% and degradation rate of 1.84 ± 0.37% after 30 days and 3.58 ± 0.39% after 60 days. The fabricated scaffolds were favorable for PC-12 cells attachment and proliferation. Neural guidance channels were produced from the polycaprolactone/carbon nanofiber composites using water jet cutter machine then incorporated with PCL/collagen nanofibrous sheets. The composites were implanted into severed rat sciatic nerve. After 12 weeks, the results of histopathological examinations and functional analysis proved that conductive conduit out-performed the non-conductive type and induced no toxicity or immunogenic reactions, suggesting its potential applicability to treat peripheral nerve damage in the clinic.

Neuronally differentiated adipose-derived stem cells and aligned PHBV nanofiber nerve scaffolds promote sciatic nerve regeneration

Through a combination of biomaterials and stem cells, tissue engineering strategies for restoring and regenerating damaged peripheral nerves have recently been used to meet the challenges posed by nerve injury. In a previous study, we revealed a new way to induce neuronal differentiation of stem cells based on the temporally sequential use of miR-218 and Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) in vitro (FGF2-miR-218 induction approach). In the present study, we sought to investigate the application of this novel approach in repairing sciatic nerve damage in vivo. The results showed that compared with randomly oriented nanofibers, nanofibers in an aligned orientation more favored stem cell growth and elongation. Stem cells (neuronally differentiated adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs)) treated with the FGF2-miR-218 induction approach and integrated with 3D aligned orientation nanofibers structures as artificial nerve grafts were implanted into 10 mm transected rat sciatic nerves in vivo. The test results of immunohistochemical staining and motor function restoration indicated that the FGF2-miR-218 induction approach combined with the 3D nanofiber scaffolds facilitated the nerve regeneration. Thus, this approach could be an effective tissue engineering method for recovery of nerve damage.

Effects of hyaluronic acid and tacrolimus on the prevention of perineural scar formation and on nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve repair in a rabbit model

PURPOSE

Scar formation after injured peripheral nerve repair is a significant clinical problem because it prevents nerve regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of hyaluronic acid (HA) and tacrolimus (FK506) on peripheral nerve regeneration in rabbits after the drugs were topically applied at the site of nerve repair.

METHODS

Thirty adult male European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), ranging in weight from 2.5 to 3 kg, were randomly assigned to three groups: the HA and FK506 groups comprised the experimental groups, while the saline group served as the control. At week 12, macroscopic and microscopic evaluations were performed and analyzed.

RESULTS

In general, the macroscopic evaluations (skin and muscle fascia closure and nerve adherence), microscopic evaluations (cellular components, scar tissue formation index, and histomorphological organization), and measurements of nerve diameter and gastrocnemius muscle wet weight demonstrated the positive effects of topical application of these pharmacological agents (HA and FK506); HA and FK506 prevented scar formation and enhanced nerve regeneration. No significant differences in the parameters described above were observed between the HA and FK506 groups (P > 0.05). However, significant differences were observed between both the HA and FK506 groups and the saline group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Based on our findings, topical application of HA and FK506 exhibits equally positive effects, preventing perineural scar formation and enhancing nerve regeneration after peripheral nerve repair.

Alpha-lipoic acid loaded in chitosan conduit enhances sciatic nerve regeneration in rat

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of topical administration of alpha-lipoic acid into chitosan conduit on peripheral nerve regeneration using a rat sciatic nerve transection model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty five Wistar rats were divided into three experimental groups randomly. A 10-mm gap of sciatic nerve was bridged with a chitosan conduit following surgical preparation and anesthesia. In treatment group, the conduit was filled with 30 µl alpha-lipoic acid (10 mg/kg/bw).It was filled with 30 µl phosphate buffered saline solution in control group. In Sham group sciatic nerve was just exposed.

RESULTS

The recovery of nerve function was faster in treatment group than in control, at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery (P-value<0.05). Conduction velocity was better in treatment group than in control group at 4 and 12 weeks (P-value<0.05). Recovery index was higher in treatment group than the control group, 8 weeks after surgery (P-value <0.05). Greater nerve fiber diameter, axon diameter, and myelin sheath thickness were observed in treatment group compared to control group at 8 and 12 weeks after surgery (P-value<0.05). The immunoreactivity of regenerated axons and myelin sheath in treatment group were far more similar to sham group.

CONCLUSION

Alpha-lipoic acid when loaded in a chitosan conduit could improve transected sciatic nerve regeneration in rat.

A comparison of the performance of mono- and bi-component electrospun conduits in a rat sciatic model

Synthetic nerve conduits represent a promising strategy to enhance functional recovery in peripheral nerve injury repair. However, the efficiency of synthetic nerve conduits is often compromised by the lack of molecular factors to create an enriched microenvironment for nerve regeneration. Here, we investigate the in vivo response of mono (MC) and bi-component (BC) fibrous conduits obtained by processing via electrospinning poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and gelatin solutions. In vitro studies demonstrate that the inclusion of gelatin leads to uniform electrospun fiber size and positively influences the response of Dorsal Root Ganglia (DRGs) neurons as confirmed by the preferential extensions of neurites from DRG bodies. This behavior can be attributed to gelatin as a bioactive cue for the cultured DRG and to the reduced fibers size. However, in vivo studies in rat sciatic nerve defect model show an opposite response: MC conduits stimulate superior nerve regeneration than gelatin containing PCL conduits as confirmed by electrophysiology, muscle weight and histology. The G-ratio, 0.71 ± 0.07 for MC and 0.66 ± 0.05 for autograft, is close to 0.6, the value measured in healthy nerves. In contrast, BC implants elicited a strong host response and infiltrating tissue occluded the conduits preventing the formation of myelinated axons. Therefore, although gelatin promotes in vitro nerve regeneration, we conclude that bi-component electrospun conduits are not satisfactory in vivo due to intrinsic limits to their mechanical performance and degradation kinetics, which are essential to peripheral nerve regeneration in vivo.