Common features of optimal collagen scaffolds that disrupt wound contraction and enhance regeneration both in peripheral nerves and in skin.

The adult mammal responds to severe injury of most organs spontaneously by wound contraction and scar formation, rather than by regeneration. In severe skin wounds, the ability of porous collagen scaffolds to induce regeneration was found to correlate strongly with a reduction in wound contraction rate. Here, we present quantitative evidence of a similar positive relationship between the extent of disruption of tissue contraction and quality of peripheral nerve regeneration in transected rat peripheral nerves.