Biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy of crosslinked hydrogel filled 3D-printed nerve conduit for sacral nerve injury repair

Jiajia Lu; Yongchuan Li; Jiao Cai; Xingwei Jin; Guangxin Chu; Hai Jin; Lei Zhu; Aimin Chen

doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123230

Biocompatibility and therapeutic efficacy of crosslinked hydrogel filled 3D-printed nerve conduit for sacral nerve injury repair

Biomaterials. 2025 Sep:320:123230. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123230. Epub 2025 Mar 3.

Authors

Jiajia Lu¹, Yongchuan Li², Jiao Cai³, Xingwei Jin⁴, Guangxin Chu⁵, Hai Jin⁶, Lei Zhu⁷, Aimin Chen⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200434, China; Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, 200434, China.
² Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200434, China.
³ Department of Medical Administration, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, 200434, China.
⁴ Department of Urology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
⁵ Department of Neurosurgery, The General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110016, China.
⁶ Department of Neurosurgery, The General Hospital of Northern Theater Command, Shenyang, 110016, China. Electronic address: 2410588@stu.neu.edu.cn.
⁷ Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, 200434, China. Electronic address: hailangzhulei@smmu.edu.cn.
⁸ Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Shanghai Fourth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200434, China. Electronic address: 2205305@tongji.edu.cn.

PMID: 40054374
DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2025.123230

Abstract

Neurological system injuries are debilitating conditions that significantly impact patients' quality of life. This study investigated using a polycaprolactone (PCL) nerve conduit loaded with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) hydrogel and neural stem cells (NSCs) for treating sacral nerve injury (SNI) in rats to explore its neural repair effects. The results demonstrate that the combined transplantation therapy using a 3D printed scaffold filled with crosslinked hydrogel and NSCs effectively improves SNI, with the PCL Nerve conduit showing potential promotion of neuronal differentiation. This research outcome provides a novel approach to the treatment of nerve injuries.

Keywords: Hydrogel; Neural repair; Neural stem cells; PCL nerve conduit; Sacral nerve injury.

MeSH terms

Animals
Biocompatible Materials* / chemistry
Hydrogels* / chemistry
Male
Nerve Regeneration* / drug effects
Neural Stem Cells / cytology
Neural Stem Cells / transplantation
Peripheral Nerve Injuries* / therapy
Polyesters / chemistry
Printing, Three-Dimensional*
Rats
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Tissue Scaffolds* / chemistry

Substances

Biocompatible Materials
polycaprolactone
Polyesters
Hydrogels