Work

A cell-adaptive nanostructured hydrogel enables an early regenerative microenvironment for peripheral nerve repair

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Nerve conduits serve as critical clinical tools for peripheral nerve repair, yet delayed intraluminal endogenous cellular occupation significantly impedes early nerve regeneration. Cell-adaptive fillers capable of dynamically supporting endogenous cellular activities would provide an early regenerative microenvironment to accelerate nerve repair. Here, we show a cell-adaptive nanostructured hydrogel-filled nerve conduit for improving peripheral nerve repair. This hydrogel is formed by gelatin methacryloyl via self-assembly and photopolymerization-based printing. It features a unique nanostructure that could fast adapt cells via squeeze-induced space release. Meanwhile, this nanostructured hydrogel can promote Schwann cell proliferation and migration, and cellular contact formation, which may be associated with enhanced cell-matrix interactions and mechanotransduction-related responses. Filling into a conduit composed of inner electrospun fiber layer and outer hydrogel layer, this hydrogel significantly facilitates Schwann cell occupation compared to hollow conduits at one-week post-implantation. A 10 mm nerve defect is reconnected by regenerative nerve bridges in the hydrogel-filled conduit accompanied by substantial hydrogel degradation within 24 days. At 12 weeks post-surgery, this conduit treatment induces better nerve regeneration and functional recovery than the conventional conduit treatment. This work demonstrates a nanostructured cell-adaptive hydrogel for engineering early regenerative microenvironments, providing a promising biomaterial platform for peripheral nerve repair.

Source: Materials Today Bio

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103725