Nanofibrous bicomponent scaffolds for the dual delivery of NGF and GDNF: controlled release of growth factors and their biological effects

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Repairing severely injured peripheral nerves requires suitable devices for bridging the gap and guiding axon growth. Due to limited availability and donor site function loss for autografts, tissue engineeringbased therapy using nerve guide conduits is a promising alternative and hence scaffolds with desired physical, chemical and biological properties are needed. Electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds offer distinctive advantages in facilitating Schwann cell migration and neurite outgrowth [Wang HB, et al., Acta Biomaterialia, 2010, 6:2970-78]. Nerve tissue regeneration can be enhanced by the local delivery of biological cues including nerve growth factor (NGF) and glial cell linederived growth factor (GDNF). Therefore, nanofibrous bicomponent scaffolds were electrospun for the controlled release of NGF and GDNF [Liu C, Wang M, MRS Fall Meeting, Boston, MA, 2013]. In this study, the dual delivery of NGF and GDNF from novel bicomponent ...