Optimal micro-patterning of a collagen scaffold coordinates the induction of morphogenetic pathways in adult nerve regeneration

摘要

Our findings provide remarkable molecular and ultra-structural evidence that the optimal micro-patterning of the proposed collagen scaffold plays a key role in turning the inner micro-environment into hospitable for development, rather than induced regeneration, of the proximal nerve stump. Within these optimal conditions, the transected nerve recapitulates in a coordinated fashion its innate programs of differentiation, which ultimately lead to progressive substitution of non-neuronal with neuronal tissues. We hypothesize that the radially aligned porosity of the MPCS promotes nerve regeneration by inducing morphogenetic stimuli and orchestrating cell behaviour towards a physiological regeneration mode.