Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Peripheral nerves function as communication paths between the brain and muscle/organ/skin and injury to these nerves leads to the severe loss of sensory or motor functions. Although the understanding of nerve regeneration and the development of surgical techniques are rapidly growing, sufficient restoration of damaged nerves still remains a big challenge. Recently, artificial nerve guide conduit (NGC) to bridge the gap between severed peripheral nerve stumps has been demonstrated to be a promising strategy for the treatment of damaged nerves. It is well known that the nerve regeneration is mediated by gradients of bioactive molecules including nerve growth factor (NGF; chemotaxis). In this study, the NGF gradient NGC was fabricated by rolling an asymmetrically porous polycaprolactone (PCL)/Pluronic F127 membrane with NGF gradient. The NGF loading amount and NGF release profile along the NGF gradient were investigated. The NGF immobilized on the NGC was continuously release up to 28 days, regardless of the NGF concentration. The nerve regeneration behaviors through the NGF gradient NGC were compared to the NGC with uniform NGF immobilization using a SD rat with a 2 cm long sciatic nerve defect. From the animal study, it was recognized that the NGF gradient NGC shows greater nerve regeneration behavior than the uniform NGF group. Based on our findings, it is suggested that the NGC with asymmetrically porous structure and gradient of NGF concentration can be a simple and effective therapeutic technique to accelerate the reinnervation rate and provide sufficient functional recovery of peripheral nerves.

Biography

Jin Ho Lee was graduated from the University of Utah, USA with PhD degree in 1988. He has worked at Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) as a Senior Research Scientist from 1988 to 1993. Since 1993, he is a Professor in Hannam University, Korea. He was a President of Korean Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Society (KTERMS) (2012). He was selected as a Fellow within the TERMIS in 2015. His recent research area includes stem cells/ biocompatible polymer hybrid materials (scaffolds, membranes, microparticles and hydrogels) for tissue regenerations such as cartilage, bone, tendon, muscle, trachea, vocal fold and nerves.

Email: jhlee@hnu.kr