3D Nano/Microfabrication Techniques and Nanobiomaterials for Neural Tissue Regeneration

Abstract

Injuries of the nervous system occur commonly among people of many different ages and backgrounds. Currently, there are no effective strategies to improve neural regeneration; however, tissue engineering provides a promising avenue for regeneration of many tissue types, including the neural context. Functional nerve conduits derived from tissue engineering techniques present bioengineered 3D artificial substitutes for implantation and rehabilitation of injured nerves. In particular, nanotechnology as a versatile vehicle to create biomimetic nanostructured tissue-engineered neural scaffolds provides great potential for the development of innovative and successful nerve grafts. Nanostructured conduits derived from traditional and novel tissue engineering techniques have been shown to be superior for successful neural function construction due to a high degree of biomimetic character. In this paper, we will focus on current progress in developing 3D nano/microstructured neural scaffolds via electrospinning, emerging 3D printing and self-assembly techniques, nanobiomaterials and bioactive cues for enhanced neural tissue regeneration.

Keywords::

• 3D printing
• electrospinning
• nanobiomaterials
• nanotechnology
• nerve
• neural tissue engineering
• self-assembly

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors would like to disclose the Research Award from the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at Children's National (CTSI-CN) and support from the George Washington University Institute for Nanotechnology (GWIN). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The authors would like to disclose the Research Award from the Clinical and Translational Science Institute at Children's National (CTSI-CN) and support from the George Washington University Institute for Nanotechnology (GWIN). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.