Multi-tubule conduit-filler constructs loaded with gradient-distributed growth factors for neural tissue engineering applications

作者：Wu, Hua; Fang, Qing; Liu, Jiaoyan; Yu, Xiaofeng; Xu, Yigui; Wan, Ying^*; Xiao, Bo^*

来源：Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 2018, 77: 671-682.

DOI：10.1016/j.jmbbm.2017.10.031

• Multi-tubule conduit-filler construct
• Degradation
• Mechanical property
• Nerve growth factor
• Gradient distribution

Chitosan/silk fibroin/glycerophosphate gels were loaded with nerve growth factor (NGF) and further processed into multi-tubule fillers. NGF was loaded into the fillers in such a way so that a NGF gradient was established longitudinally along the filler length. A type of poly(lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA)/chitosan(CH) porous conduit was fabricated using a pre-crosslinking method. The filler was fully filled into the lumen of conduits to build multi-tubule conduit-filler constructs that are intended for long-gap peripheral nerve repair. In vitro degradation in a lysozyme-contained medium revealed that constructs had degradation-tolerant features and the optimized multi-tubule filler was capable of maintaining its multi-tubules unblocked for around 10-week. After being degraded for various periods up to 8 weeks, the optimal conduit-filler constructs showed confirmative ability to retain their compressive load, deformation recovery and tensile strength at about 80 N/m, 75% and 15 N/cm(2) in wet state, respectively. The constructs were able to administer NGF release and to maintain persistent NGF gradients longitudinally distributed inside the PLGA/CH conduit for about 6 weeks or even longer. The PC12 cell neurite extension assay confirmed that the presently developed multi-tubule conduit-filler constructs were reliable for effectively preserving the bioactivity of released NGF.

• 出版日期2018-1
• 单位西南大学; 厦门大学; 华中科技大学