Peripheral nerve regeneration using a bioresorbable silk fibroin-based artificial nerve conduit fabricated via a novel freeze–thaw process
Abstract While silk fibroin (SF) obtained from silkworm cocoons is expected to become a next-generation natural polymer, a fabrication method for SF-based artificial nerve conduits (SFCs) has not yet been established. Here, we report a bioresorbable SFC, fabricated using a novel freeze–thaw process,...
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Nature Portfolio
2025-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88221-y |
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| author | Tomoki Matsuo Hiroo Kimura Takayuki Nishijima Yasuhiro Kiyota Taku Suzuki Narihito Nagoshi Shinsuke Shibata Tomoko Shindo Nobuko Moritoki Makoto Sasaki Sarara Noguchi Yasushi Tamada Masaya Nakamura Takuji Iwamoto |
| author_facet | Tomoki Matsuo Hiroo Kimura Takayuki Nishijima Yasuhiro Kiyota Taku Suzuki Narihito Nagoshi Shinsuke Shibata Tomoko Shindo Nobuko Moritoki Makoto Sasaki Sarara Noguchi Yasushi Tamada Masaya Nakamura Takuji Iwamoto |
| author_sort | Tomoki Matsuo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract While silk fibroin (SF) obtained from silkworm cocoons is expected to become a next-generation natural polymer, a fabrication method for SF-based artificial nerve conduits (SFCs) has not yet been established. Here, we report a bioresorbable SFC, fabricated using a novel freeze–thaw process, which ensures biosafety by avoiding any harmful chemical additives. The SFC demonstrated favorable biocompatibility (high hydrophilicity and porosity with a water content of > 90%), structural stability (stiffness, toughness, and elasticity), and biodegradability, making it an ideal candidate for nerve regeneration. We evaluated the nerve-regenerative effects of the SFC in a rat sciatic-nerve-defect model, including its motor and sensory function recovery as well as histological regeneration. We found that SFC transplantation significantly promoted functional recovery and nerve regeneration compared to silicone tubes and was almost equally effective as autologous nerve transplantation. Histological analyses indicated that vascularization and M2 macrophage recruitment were pronounced inside the SFC. These results suggest that the unique properties of the SFC further enhanced the peripheral nerve regeneration mechanism. As no SFC has been applied in clinical practice, the SFC reported herein may be a promising candidate for repairing extensive peripheral nerve defects. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1935e6a803144f62b19412153547dc32 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-1935e6a803144f62b19412153547dc322025-02-02T12:24:42ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-88221-yPeripheral nerve regeneration using a bioresorbable silk fibroin-based artificial nerve conduit fabricated via a novel freeze–thaw processTomoki Matsuo0Hiroo Kimura1Takayuki Nishijima2Yasuhiro Kiyota3Taku Suzuki4Narihito Nagoshi5Shinsuke Shibata6Tomoko Shindo7Nobuko Moritoki8Makoto Sasaki9Sarara Noguchi10Yasushi Tamada11Masaya Nakamura12Takuji Iwamoto13Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of MedicineDivision of Microscopic Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata UniversityElectron Microscope Laboratory, Keio University School of MedicineElectron Microscope Laboratory, Keio University School of MedicineFaculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Kumamoto UniversityMaterials Development Department, Kumamoto Industrial Research InstituteFaculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of MedicineDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keio University School of MedicineAbstract While silk fibroin (SF) obtained from silkworm cocoons is expected to become a next-generation natural polymer, a fabrication method for SF-based artificial nerve conduits (SFCs) has not yet been established. Here, we report a bioresorbable SFC, fabricated using a novel freeze–thaw process, which ensures biosafety by avoiding any harmful chemical additives. The SFC demonstrated favorable biocompatibility (high hydrophilicity and porosity with a water content of > 90%), structural stability (stiffness, toughness, and elasticity), and biodegradability, making it an ideal candidate for nerve regeneration. We evaluated the nerve-regenerative effects of the SFC in a rat sciatic-nerve-defect model, including its motor and sensory function recovery as well as histological regeneration. We found that SFC transplantation significantly promoted functional recovery and nerve regeneration compared to silicone tubes and was almost equally effective as autologous nerve transplantation. Histological analyses indicated that vascularization and M2 macrophage recruitment were pronounced inside the SFC. These results suggest that the unique properties of the SFC further enhanced the peripheral nerve regeneration mechanism. As no SFC has been applied in clinical practice, the SFC reported herein may be a promising candidate for repairing extensive peripheral nerve defects.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88221-ySilk fibroinNerve conduitArtificial nerveScaffoldPeripheral nerve injuryNerve regeneration |
| spellingShingle | Tomoki Matsuo Hiroo Kimura Takayuki Nishijima Yasuhiro Kiyota Taku Suzuki Narihito Nagoshi Shinsuke Shibata Tomoko Shindo Nobuko Moritoki Makoto Sasaki Sarara Noguchi Yasushi Tamada Masaya Nakamura Takuji Iwamoto Peripheral nerve regeneration using a bioresorbable silk fibroin-based artificial nerve conduit fabricated via a novel freeze–thaw process Scientific Reports Silk fibroin Nerve conduit Artificial nerve Scaffold Peripheral nerve injury Nerve regeneration |
| title | Peripheral nerve regeneration using a bioresorbable silk fibroin-based artificial nerve conduit fabricated via a novel freeze–thaw process |
| title_full | Peripheral nerve regeneration using a bioresorbable silk fibroin-based artificial nerve conduit fabricated via a novel freeze–thaw process |
| title_fullStr | Peripheral nerve regeneration using a bioresorbable silk fibroin-based artificial nerve conduit fabricated via a novel freeze–thaw process |
| title_full_unstemmed | Peripheral nerve regeneration using a bioresorbable silk fibroin-based artificial nerve conduit fabricated via a novel freeze–thaw process |
| title_short | Peripheral nerve regeneration using a bioresorbable silk fibroin-based artificial nerve conduit fabricated via a novel freeze–thaw process |
| title_sort | peripheral nerve regeneration using a bioresorbable silk fibroin based artificial nerve conduit fabricated via a novel freeze thaw process |
| topic | Silk fibroin Nerve conduit Artificial nerve Scaffold Peripheral nerve injury Nerve regeneration |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-88221-y |
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