Магнитоактивные композитные кондуиты для восстановления нервной ткани

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injury is a considerable issue, which may threat to mobility and sensory function, leading to permanent function loss. To date, the most clinically applied approach for bridging nerve injuries is autologous nerve grafting. However this approach is far from an ideal option due to the donor site morbidity, donor shortage, risks of infections or neuroma formation and so on. An effective therapeutic strategy is urgently needed worldwide to overcome the current limitations. Tubular nerve guidance conduits are gaining attraction to bridge two injured nerve ends and provide physical protection and directional guidance for nerve regeneration. In the present study, we developed novel magnetic composite conduits based on biocompatible and bioresorbable poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and citric acid-modified magnetite (Fe3O4-CA) nanoparticles for nerve tissue engineering applications. Highly magnetic Fe3O4-CA nanoparticles were synthesized by chemical co-precipitation of iron salts. The PHB/Fe3O4-CA conduits were fabricated by a versatile electrospinning technique. Subsequently, the composite conduits were comprehensively investigated by various methods. The influence of Fe3O4-CA incorporation on the PHB morphology, topography, crystalline structure, and physico-mechanical properties is carefully discussed. As a result, magnetoactive conduits possess the structure, mechanical and magnetic characteristics appropriate for nerve tissue restoration and can potentially provide magnetic stimulation of nerve lesion repair in an external magnetic field. Thus PHB/Fe3O4-CA conduits are prospective candidates for clinical therapy of long-gap nerve injuries.