Effect of sodium L-lactate on bioactive properties of chitosan-hydroxyapatite/polycaprolactone conduits for peripheral nerve tissue engineering.

Biomaterials and synthetic polymers have been widely used to replicate the regenerative microenvironment of the peripheral nervous system. Chitosan-based conduits have shown promise in the regeneration of nerve injuries. However, to mimic the regenerative microenvironment, the scaffold structure should possess bioactive properties.

Bioactive Materials for Bone Regeneration: Biomolecules and Delivery Systems.

Novel tissue regeneration strategies are constantly being developed worldwide. Research on bone regeneration is noteworthy, as many promising new approaches have been documented with novel strategies currently under investigation. Innovative biomaterials that allow the coordinated and well-controlled repair of bone fractures and bone loss are being designed to reduce the need for autologous or allogeneic bone grafts eventually.

Controlling the Spatiotemporal Release of Nerve Growth Factor by Chitosan/Polycaprolactone Conduits for Use in Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

Tubular polymeric structures have been recognized in the treatment of peripheral nerves as comparable to autologous grafting. The best therapeutic outcomes are obtained with conduits releasing therapeutic molecules. In this study, a new approach for the incorporation of biologically active agent-loaded microspheres into the structure of chitosan/polycaprolactone conduits was developed.

Fabrication and Characterization of Polycaprolactone/Chitosan-Hydroxyapatite Hybrid Implants for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

Major efforts for the advancement of tubular-shaped implant fabrication focused recently on the development of 3D printing methods that can enable the fabrication of complete devices in a single printing process. However, the main limitation of these solutions is the use of non-biocompatible polymers. Therefore, a new technology for obtaining hybrid implants that employ polymer extrusion and electrophoretic deposition is applied.

Understanding Electrodeposition of Chitosan-Hydroxyapatite Structures for Regeneration of Tubular-Shaped Tissues and Organs.

Tubular-shaped hydrogel structures were obtained in the process of cathodic electrodeposition from a chitosan-hydroxyapatite solution carried out in a cylindrical geometry. The impact of the initial concentration of solution components (i.e.

Ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 3-loaded microspheres penetrate neurons in vitro causing active demethylation and neurite outgrowth.

Epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation and other chromatin modifications, are believed to be largely responsible for establishing a reduced capacity for growth in the mature nervous system. Ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase 3 (Tet3)-, a member of the Tet gene family, plays a crucial role in promoting injury-induced DNA demethylation and expression of regeneration-associated genes in the peripheral nervous system. Here, we encapsulate Tet3 protein within a clinically tolerated poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microsphere system.

Investigation of Parameters Influencing Tubular-Shaped Chitosan-Hydroxyapatite Layer Electrodeposition.

Tubular-shaped layer electrodeposition from chitosan-hydroxyapatite colloidal solutions has found application in the field of regeneration or replacement of cylindrical tissues and organs, especially peripheral nerve tissue regeneration. Nevertheless, the quantitative and qualitative characterisation of this phenomenon has not been described. In this work, the colloidal systems are subjected to the action of an electric current initiated at different voltages.

Influence of chitosan average molecular weight on degradation and stability of electrodeposited conduits.

Tubular chitosan-based hydrogels, obtained in an electrodeposition process, are subject of degradation and stability studies. The implants are prepared from polymer with different average molecular weight. This approach allows fabricating structures that vary in mass and wall thickness.

The malleable brain: plasticity of neural circuits and behavior - a review from students to students.

One of the most intriguing features of the brain is its ability to be malleable, allowing it to adapt continually to changes in the environment. Specific neuronal activity patterns drive long-lasting increases or decreases in the strength of synaptic connections, referred to as long-term potentiation and long-term depression, respectively. Such phenomena have been described in a variety of model organisms, which are used to study molecular, structural, and functional aspects of synaptic plasticity.

Thermogelling chitosan lactate hydrogel improves functional recovery after a C2 spinal cord hemisection in rat.

The present study was designed to provide an appropriate micro-environment for regenerating axotomized neurons and proliferating/migrating cells. Because of its intrinsic permissive properties, biocompatibility and biodegradability, we chose to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of a chitosan-based biopolymer. The biomaterial toxicity was measured through in vitro test based on fibroblast cell survival on thermogelling chitosan lactate hydrogel substrate and then polymer was implanted into a C2 hemisection of the rat spinal cord.

Epineurium-mimicking chitosan conduits for peripheral nervous tissue engineering.

In this investigation, we report on a fabrication method of epineurium-mimicking tubular conduits based on electrodeposition from chitosan solution. The pre-enrichment of electrodeposition solution with hyaluronic acid and/or collagen components results in structures which structural, morphological, and physicochemical properties can be controlled. In order to determine the optimal composition of the initial chitosan solution resulting in conduits meeting the requirements imposed on peripheral nerve implants, we perform chemical, physical, and biological studies.

Assessment of degradation and biocompatibility of electrodeposited chitosan and chitosan-carbon nanotube tubular implants.

Designing three-dimensional tubular materials made of chitosan is still a challenging task. Availability of such forms is highly desired by tissue engineering, especially peripheral nerve tissue engineering. Aiming at this problem, we use an electrodeposition phenomenon in order to obtain chitosan and chitosan-carbon nanotube hydrogel tubular implants.

Tubular electrodeposition of chitosan-carbon nanotube implants enriched with calcium ions.

A new approach for obtaining chitosan-carbon nanotube implants enriched with calcium ions in the form of tubular hydrogels is fostered. The intended application of the hydrogels is tissue engineering, especially peripheral nervous tissue regeneration. The fabrication method, based on an electrodeposition phenomenon, shows significant advantages over current solutions as implants can now be obtained rapidly at any required dimensions.

Chitosan-based hydrogel implants enriched with calcium ions intended for peripheral nervous tissue regeneration.

A new method for fabrication of chitosan-based hydrogel implants intended for peripheral nervous tissue regeneration was developed. The method is based on an electrodeposition phenomenon from a solution of chitosan and organic acid. In order to increase the mechanical strength of the implant, the solution was enriched with hydroxyapatite.