Multi-channeled biodegradable polymer/CultiSpher composite nerve guides.

Innovative methods to fabricate porous, biodegradable conduits were developed to produce nerve guides with multiple longitudinally aligned channels. The geometry of the nerve guide's channels was designed to be appropriate for harboring neurite extension. Both the coated mandrel and mandrel adhesion techniques permit flexibility in the number of channels, channel organization, and channel diameters. In this study, the composite nerve guides were comprised of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and porous collagen-based beads (CultiSphers). The incorporation of the collagenous beads results in enhanced cortical neuron adhesion, viability, and neurite extension as compared to PCL alone. Additionally, Schwann cell studies indicated that the PCL/CultiSpher composite is a suitable substrate for cell adhesion. Mechanical properties of the PCL/CultiSpher material and in vitro degradation rates indicate the potential usefulness of this novel composite for use in the fabrication of nerve guides.

Using PC12 cells to evaluate poly(caprolactone) and collagenous microcarriers for applications in nerve guide fabrication.

Tissue-engineered nerve guides can provide mechanical support as well as chemical stimulation for nerve regeneration. PC12 cells were used to test the novel combination of poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and macroporous collagen-based microcarriers (CultiSphers) as an initial phase in the fabrication of multichanneled nerve guides. Laminin-coated PCL was an effective matrix for the attachment, proliferation, and viability of PC12 cells, relative to uncoated PCL. PC12 cells attached to laminin-coated PCL and extended neurites when cultured in the presence of nerve growth factor (NGF). PC12 cells attached and proliferated on CultiSphers and extended neurites in response to NGF. A novel PCL/CultiSpher composite material also supported PC12 attachment and proliferation and provides a potentially useful material for the fabrication of synthetic nerve guides.