LAUSR

Neural tissue engineering has been introduced as a novel therapeutic strategy for trauma-induced sciatic nerve defects. Here, we report a neuropeptide S (NPS)-crosslinked fibrin scaffolds (NPS@Fg) loaded with an ectomesenchymal stem cell (EMSC) system to bridge an 8-mm sciatic nerve defect in rats. The Schwann cell-like and neural differentiation of the EMSCs on the engineered fibrin scaffolds were also assessed in vitro. Our results showed that the NPS@Fg promoted the differentiation of EMSCs into neuronal lineage cells, which may also contribute to the therapeutic outcome of the NPS@Fg+EMSCs strategy. After transplantation NPS@Fg+EMSCs into sciatic nerve defects in rats, nerve recovery was assessed up to 12 weeks postinjury. In vivo experiments showed that the combination of NPS crosslinked fibrin scaffolds with EMSCs could significantly accelerate nerve healing and improve morphological repair. In the study, NPS@Fg+EMSCs may represent a new potential strategy for peripheral nerve reconstruction. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.