Development of a Protein-Filled Conduit for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

Abstract:

Currently, most commercialized peripheral nerve regenerative products are constructed from biodegradable polymers into hollow conduits. To speed up the regeneration rate, we proposed a development of a biocompatible protein-filled conduit for anastomosis amputated peripheral nerve with growth factor controlled release function. Glutaraldehyde-crosslinked protein sponges were tested for their abilities to controlled release of nerve growth factor (NGF) in vitro in our previous experiments. Type B gelatin sponges were able to limit diffusions of NGF due to electrostatic interactions between them. The rate of growth factor releases would be depended on degradation of the crosslinked gelatin. A nerve conduit model was produced using perfluoro alkoxy (PFA) tubes filled with gelatin which had been crosslinked using X-ray from Argon plasma treatment. This method of crosslinking provided 21.22±3.03 % degree of crosslinking. Hollow nerve conduits fabricated from poly(l-lactide-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) had a thicknesses and an inner diameters of 0.31±0.03 mm and 1.63±0.07 mm respectively. Average pore sizes of the inner surfaces and outer surfaces were 9.70±3.44 µm and 1.24±0.77 µm respectively. PLCL film supported growth of L929 mouse fibroblasts. For continuing works, we are testing the protein-filled conduits for peripheral nerve regeneration in animals.