
Abstract Nerve conduits have great promise for bridging peripheral nerve defects that always cause disability. Currently, the clinically used nerve conduits are limited in promoting nerve regeneration, leading to the unsatisfied nerve repair efficiency. In this study, we show a 3D-printed nerve conduit with drug release for promoting nerve regeneration. This nerve conduit with designed structures as well as directional fiber-aligned inner surface is rapidly customized by a digital light processing (DLP) based continuous 3D-printing process. Meanwhile, this conduit containing polymeric nanoparticles that can sustained release RGFP966 to promote the remyelination of Schwann cells by activating PI3K–AKT–ERK signal pathway. Moreover, this nerve conduit is degradable and biocompatible. After implantation, this conduit can efficiently bridge a 10-mm rat sciatic nerve defect, which is comparable to the autograft in inducing nerve regeneration and functional recovery. This work suggests that the 3D-printed hydrogel nerve conduits with local release of RGFP966 could efficiently repair the injured nerves, which could inspire the development of future functional nerve conduits.
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 53 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 1% | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Top 10% |
