Neuregulin 1 functionalization of organic fibers for Schwann cell guidance

Nanotechnology. 2017 Apr 18;28(15):155303. doi: 10.1088/1361-6528/aa6316.

Abstract

The repair of peripheral nerve lesions is a clinical problem where the functional recovery is often far from being satisfactory, although peripheral nerves generally retain good potential for regeneration. Here, we develop a novel scaffold approach based on bioactive fibers of poly(ε-caprolactone) where nanotopographical guidance and neuregulin 1 (NRG1) cues are combined. We interface them with rat primary Schwann cells (SCs), the peripheral glial cells that drive initial regeneration of injured nerves, and found that the combination of NRG1 with parallel nano-fibrous topographies is effective in improving SC growth up to 72 h, alignment to fiber topography, and bipolar differentiation, opening original perspectives for nerve repair applications.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Nanofibers / chemistry
  • Neuregulin-1 / metabolism*
  • Polyesters / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Schwann Cells / cytology*
  • Schwann Cells / metabolism
  • Tissue Scaffolds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Neuregulin-1
  • Nrg1 protein, rat
  • Polyesters
  • polycaprolactone