Incorporation of Chitosan Microspheres into Collagen-Chitosan Scaffolds for the Controlled Release of Nerve Growth Factor |
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| Authors: | Wen Zeng Mengyao Rong Xueyu Hu Wei Xiao Fengyu Qi Jinghui Huang Zhuojing Luo |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Orthopaedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China.; 2. Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China.; 3. Department of Clinical Immunology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, China.; Politecnico di Milano, Italy, |
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| Abstract: | BackgroundArtifical nerve scaffold can be used as a promising alternative to autologous nerve grafts to enhance the repair of peripheral nerve defects. However, current nerve scaffolds lack efficient microstructure and neurotrophic support.MethodsMicrosphere–Scaffold composite was developed by incorporating chitosan microspheres loaded with nerve growth factor (NGF–CMSs) into collagen-chitosan scaffolds (CCH) with longitudinally oriented microchannels (NGF–CMSs/CCH). The morphological characterizations, in vitro release kinetics study, neurite outgrowth assay, and bioactivity assay were evaluated. After that, a 15-mm-long sciatic nerve gap in rats was bridged by the NGF–CMSs/CCH, CCH physically absorbed NGF (NGF/CCH), CCH or nerve autograft. 16 weeks after implantation, electrophysiology, fluoro-gold retrograde tracing, and nerve morphometry were performed.ResultsThe NGF–CMSs were evenly distributed throughout the longitudinally oriented microchannels of the scaffold. The NGF–CMSs/CCH was capable of sustained release of bioactive NGF within 28 days as compared with others in vitro. In vivo animal study demonstrated that the outcomes of NGF–CMSs/CCH were better than those of NGF/CCH or CCH.ConclusionOur findings suggest that incorporation of NGF–CMSs into the CCH may be a promising tool in the repair of peripheral nerve defects. |
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