Peripheral nerve lesions in humans result in significant functional deficits with social impact, and new and effective strategies are sought to improve post-traumatic nerve regeneration. Recent neural tissue engineering research has focused on the development of bioartificial nerve guidance conduits in order to guide axonal regrowth. The project’s objective will be achieved by designing, characterizing and forming to suitable shapes soft biodegradable, biocompatible and bioactive poly(amidoamine) (PAA) hydrogels endowed with a superior combination of mechanical and biological properties compared to previous art biomaterials. These PAA hydrogels will structurally resemble a peptide motif involved in the adhesion to the integrins of extracellular matrix, which provided in preliminary experiments hints of participating in the biological properties of their natural model. Hence, they will be biomimetic and promote adhesion and proliferation of the peripheral nerve constituting cells, i.e. Schwann cells and neuronal cells. As regards physical properties, they will be characterized by tissue-like properties, such as high water content, nutrient permeability and low interfacial tension. Their mechanical properties will mimic those of soft tissues and their viscoelasticity will be tuned by controlling the composition and cross-link density. They will be designed to be gradually replaced by the new-formed tissues without leaving any permanent residue in the organism.
Peripheral nerve lesions in humans result in significant functional deficits with social impact, and new and effective strategies are sought to improve post-traumatic nerve regeneration. Recent neural tissue engineering research has focused on the development of bioartificial nerve guidance conduits in order to guide axonal regrowth. The project’s objective will be achieved by designing, characterizing and forming to suitable shapes soft biodegradable, biocompatible and bioactive poly(amidoamine) (PAA) hydrogels endowed with a superior combination of mechanical and biological properties compared to previous art biomaterials. These PAA hydrogels will structurally resemble a peptide motif involved in the adhesion to the integrins of extracellular matrix, which provided in preliminary experiments hints of participating in the biological properties of their natural model. Hence, they will be biomimetic and promote adhesion and proliferation of the peripheral nerve constituting cells, i.e. Schwann cells and neuronal cells. As regards physical properties, they will be characterized by tissue-like properties, such as high water content, nutrient permeability and low interfacial tension. Their mechanical properties will mimic those of soft tissues and their viscoelasticity will be tuned by controlling the composition and cross-link density. They will be designed to be gradually replaced by the new-formed tissues without leaving any permanent residue in the organism.