Electrospun Piezoelectric Scaffold with External Mechanical Stimulation for Promoting Regeneration of Peripheral Nerve Injury

Safeand efficient provision of electrical stimulation (ES) fornerve repair and regeneration is a problem that needs to be addressed.In this study, a silk fibroin/poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)/Ti3C2T x (SF/PVDF-HFP/MXene) composite scaffold with piezoelectricitywas developed by electrospinning technology. MXene was loaded to thescaffold to enhance the piezoelectric properties (Output voltage reachesup to 100 mV), mechanical properties, and antibacterial activity.Cell experiments demonstrated piezoelectric stimulation under externalultrasonication for promoting the growth and proliferation of Schwanncells (SCs) cultured on this electrospun scaffold. Further in vivo study with rat sciatic nerve injury model revealedthat the SF/PVDF-HFP/MXene nerve conduit could induce the proliferationof SCs, enhance the elongation of axon, and promote axonal myelination.Under the piezoelectric effect of this nerve scaffold, the rats withregenerative nerve exhibited a favorable recovery effect of motorand sensory function, indicating a safe and feasible method of usingthis SF/PVDF-HFP/MXene piezoelectric scaffold for ES provision in vivo.

Automated summary

A silk fibroin/poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)/Ti3C2Tx (MXene) composite scaffold with piezoelectricity was developed using electrospinning technology. Cell experiments and in vivo studies demonstrated that this scaffold can promote the growth and proliferation of Schwann cells, enhance axon elongation and myelination, and have a favorable effect on motor and sensory function recovery in regenerative nerves.