Scaffold-Free Nerve Conduit Comprising Cells, Secretome, and Endogenous Aligned Extracellular Matrix
Facial nerve defects can result from trauma, tumor ablation, and iatrogenic surgical injury. Nerve repair is traditionally accomplished using direct end-to-end reconnection in small nerve gaps or by replacing damaged tissue with an autograft in large defects. With both approaches, nerve regeneration can take up to 18 months, and complete functional recovery may not be achieved. Additionally, in the case of autograft procedures, a functional nerve at a harvest site must be sacrificed, resulting in sensory loss. Decellularized allografts and synthetic polymeric conduits are available but lack important biological cues.
Description
A scaffold-free nerve conduit can be generated from an autologous source of dental pulp stem cells comprising aligned extracellular matrix and secretome produced by the cells containing growth factors that aid in regeneration. These engineered conduits provide trophic cues to promote regeneration as well as guidance cues to direct axon extension. This novel nerve conduit can be used to supplement existing nerve repair techniques or as a standalone nerve gap-bridging device without the need to source and sacrifice a functioning nerve and with the added benefit of biological cues known to accelerate nerve repair and regeneration.Applications
· Supporting and improving outcomes in nerve repairAdvantages
· Secreted neurotrophic factors avoid the need to deliver high doses of exogenous neurotrophic factors· Does not require an exogenous scaffold, eliminating the need for synthetic or exogenic materials in the final product
· Functions to improve and accelerate restoration of nerve function as well as providing cues to guide directional growth of axons and neurites