The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injuries cause motor and sensory deficits, increasing patient morbidity. While autologous nerve grafting is the current standard for nerve repair, it faces limitations such as donor site shortage and related complications. Tissue-engineered nerve grafts have thus emerged as promising alternatives. We developed a nerve conduit composed of an electrospun PLCL membrane and a visible light–crosslinked gelatin hydrogel. The nanoporous PLCL membrane served as a flexible, non-collapsible outer layer, mimicking the epineurium. Inner gelatin hydrogel paths, aligned via 3D printing and photocrosslinking, featured microgrooved surfaces that guided axonal growth and acted as reservoirs for bioactive molecules. In vivo tests confirmed that the conduit supported axonal regeneration, remyelination, and functional recovery. These results demonstrate that our conduit is a promising alternative to autologous nerve grafts for peripheral nerve repair.