Embodiments described herein relate to restorative solutions for segmental peripheral nerve (PN) defects using allografted PNs for stimulating PN repair. More specifically, embodiments described herein provide for localized immunosuppression (LIS) surrounding PN allografts as an alternative to systemically suppressing a patient's entire immune system. Methods include localized release of immunosuppressive (ISV) agents are contemplated in one embodiment. Methods also include localized application of immunosuppressive (ISV) regulatory T-cells (Tregs) and/or mesenchymal stomal cells in other embodiments. Hydrogel carrier materials are also described herein.

A protein-modified PLGA microsphere can be used to construct tissue-engineered nerve. The microspheres are loaded with active substances for treating peripheral nerve injury and are bound to tissue-engineered nerves. It has been shown that the prepared tissue-engineered nerve effectively promotes nerve regeneration after peripheral nerve injury.

The present disclosure provides improved biomaterials extracted from human umbilical cord (hUC) material. The materials are mechanically disrupted to produce micronized particles and are further treated with a protease and optionally mixed with a gel-forming agent. The materials may have improved inflammatory/anti-inflammatory profiles and may provide particular utility in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy by local administration of the hUC extracts.

Neurosupportive materials that possess strong tissue adhesion were synthesized by photocrosslinking two polymers, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and methacryloyl-substituted tropoelastin (MeTro). The engineered materials exhibited tunable mechanical properties by varying the GelMA/MeTro ratio. In addition, GelMA/MeTro hydrogels exhibited 15-fold higher adhesive strength to nerve tissue ex vivo compared to traditionally used fibrin-based materials. Furthermore, the composites were shown to support Schwann cell (SC) viability and proliferation, as well as neurite extension and glial cell participation in vitro, which are essential cellular components for nerve regeneration. Finally, subcutaneously implanted GelMA/MeTro hydrogels exhibited slower degradation in vivo compared with pure GelMA, indicating its potential to support the growth of slowly regenerating nerves. Thus, GelMA/MeTro composites may be used as clinically relevant biomaterials to regenerate nerves and reduce the need for microsurgical suturing during nerve reconstruction.

A preparation method and an application of a composite scaffold for directionally guiding regeneration of optic nerve axons. A major component of the composite scaffold is prepared from one or more degradable biomedical materials combined according to different ratios by a gradient freezing method. To increase a mechanical property of the scaffold or prolong in-vivo degradation time, the scaffold may be cross-linked by a biological cross-linker. After a gelatin is added, the prepared composite scaffold exhibits excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. A problem of solubility differences of the gelatin A produced during gradient freezing can be regulated by sodium alginate, thereby facilitating regular directional pipeline morphology of the scaffold. After cross-linked with genipin, the composite scaffold significantly enhances stability, and the directional pipeline morphology of the scaffold cam provide attachment sites for regeneration of the optic nerve axons, thereby guiding directional regeneration of the optic nerve axons.

The subject invention provides devices and methods for alleviating discomfort associated with neuroma formation. The devices and methods of the invention effectively use the body's natural response of reconstructing implanted biomaterials to minimize the size of, isolate, and protect a neuroma. In preferred embodiments, the subject device is a cylindrical cap, wherein the internal chamber of the cylindrical cap physically partitions the nerve to enable an arrangement of nerve fibers (as opposed to haphazardly arranged nerve fibers often produced in neuromas). Tabs arranged on the outside of the cap can be used to manipulate the cap into place on a nerve. The open end can also be configured with flaps that can be used to widen the open end for easier insertion of the nerve into the cap. In addition, the cap's material remodels into a tissue cushion after implantation, which protects the neuroma from being stimulated and inducing pain.

The invention relates to a method for preparing a polymer scaffold that comprises the steps of providing a piece of a fabric of filaments of a first biodegradable or biocompatible polymer, applying a coating of a second polymer to said arrangement of filaments, and stretching the piece along its axis of longitudinal extension, thereby obtaining an aligned microfibrillar scaffold. The invention further relates to a method for providing an artificial tissue, and to a microfibrillar scaffold of aligned filaments obtained by the method of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to a hydrogel comprising: hyaluronic acid, and liposomes physically crosslinked to hyaluronic acid, wherein said hydrogel encapsulates a cell type or a plurality of cell types. The hydrogel of the present disclosure shows a positive therapeutic effect in the treatment or therapy of multiple sclerosis. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a hydrogel and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient/carrier are also disclosed.

Disclosed are methods, devices and materials for the in situ formation of a nerve cap and/or a nerve wrap to inhibit neuroma formation following planned or traumatic nerve injury. The method includes the steps of identifying a severed end of a nerve, and positioning the severed end into a cavity defined by a form. A transformable media is introduced into the form cavity to surround the severed end. The media is permitted to undergo a transformation from a first, relatively flowable state to a second, relatively non flowable state to form a protective barrier surrounding the severed end. The media may be a hydrogel, and the transformation may produce a synthetic crosslinked hydrogel protective barrier. The media may include at least one anti-regeneration agent to inhibit nerve regrowth

[Object]

Provided is a method of producing a nerve bundle including efficiently extending axons of neural cells.

[Solution]

Neural cells are cultivated in the presence of feeder cells including at least one type of cells selected from vascular component cells and perivascular cells.