| 研究実績の概要 |
Artificial nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) consisting of core/shell type electrospun fibers using brain-derived extracellular matrix (B-ECM) have been developed and their effectiveness has been demonstrated. Their details are as follows.
Fabrication of core/shell type electrospun fibers: B-ECM was blended along with gelatin to fabricate polycaprolactone/gelatin (PCL/Gel)-based core/shell type fibers. At this time, the aligned fibers using a rotating collector were also obtained.
Evaluation by cell culture: PC12 cells were used as neural model cells. In the nonwoven fabric made of the electrospun ECM described above, the effect of promoting the elongation of neurites and the elongation of neurons on the aligned fibers was confirmed. NGF was immobilized on the fibers because neurotrophic factors and growth factors can affect cell differentiation and tissue repair. Here, nerve growth factor (NGF) was able to be immobilized on the fibers via glycosaminoglycans, which are constituents of B-ECM.
Fabrication and evaluation of nerve guidance conduits: NGCs were fabricated by amassing tubular scaffolds and core/shell type aligned electrospun fibers. Physico-chemical properties of NGCs, including tensile testing and suture strength retention were sufficient for the application. Biocompatibility of tubular scaffolds was also confirmed. The NGCs were transplanted into sciatic nerve defects, and suppression of neurite outgrowth and cell infiltration from the surrounding area was achieved.
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