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Three-dimensional conductive polycaprolactone/carbon nanotubes scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration

  • Materials for life sciences
  • Published:
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Abstract

Development of tissue-engineered alternatives to nerve autografts remains a serious challenge particularly considering the electroactive properties of native peripheral nerves. In this study, three-dimensional (3D) conductive nerve scaffolds composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were fabricated using an integration molding method. In vitro, the combination of PCL/CNTs scaffolds with electrical stimulation that mimic the endogenous electric fields could significantly promote Schwann cell proliferation and neurotrophic factor genes expression. In vivo, the effects of PCL/CNTs scaffolds on peripheral nerve regeneration were investigated using a 15-mm rat sciatic nerve defect model. Functional and histological tests indicated that PCL/CNTs scaffolds could effectively promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Therefore, PCL/CNTs scaffolds are promising candidates for peripheral nerve restoration.

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Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31771322); Beijing Natural Science Foundation of China (7212121) and Shenzhen Science and Technology Plan Project of China (JCYJ20190806162205278).

Author information

Author notes

  1. Wei Pi, Liping Zhou and Wei Zhang have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Peking University People’s Hospital, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Pi, Wei Zhang, Songyang Liu, Ci Li, Meng Zhang & Peixun Zhang

  2. Key Laboratory of Trauma and Neural Regeneration (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Pi, Wei Zhang, Songyang Liu, Ci Li, Meng Zhang & Peixun Zhang

  3. National Center for Trauma Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

    Wei Pi, Wei Zhang, Songyang Liu, Ci Li, Meng Zhang & Peixun Zhang

  4. Beijing Key Laboratory for Bioengineering and Sensing Technology, School of Chemistry and Biological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, People’s Republic of China

    Liping Zhou & Yongqiang Wen

Authors
  1. Wei Pi
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  2. Liping Zhou
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Contributions

WP was involved in writing—original draft and visualization. WP and LZ were involved in conceptualization. WP, WZ and LZ were involved in methodology. WP and WZ were involved in data curation. SL, CL and MZ performed investigation. YW and PZ were involved in project administration. YW was involved in supervision. PZ was involved in writing—review & editing and funding acquisition.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yongqiang Wen or Peixun Zhang.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Handling Editor: Annela M. Seddon.

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Pi, W., Zhou, L., Zhang, W. et al. Three-dimensional conductive polycaprolactone/carbon nanotubes scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration. J Mater Sci 57, 11289–11299 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-022-07336-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-022-07336-z

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