In this chapter, we aim at providing an up-to-date review on nerve tissue engineering, focusing on both the peripheral and the central nervous systems (PNS and CNS, respectively). After introducing the pathophysiology of nerves and the social impact of nerve injuries, we overview the therapeutic approaches oriented toward inducing nerve regeneration, involving cellular, molecular, and scaffold-based strategies. A section is dedicated specifically to the PNS, with a critical focus on the actual therapeutic potential of experimental devices for the development of tissue-engineered medical products. A case study regarding the implementation of micropatterned collagen-based conduits in a clinical trial on PNS regeneration is also presented. Another section is dedicated to the ongoing research investigating the regenerative mechanisms of the CNS. In this context, spinal cord injury is assumed as a model lesion, for which complex tissue-engineered devices are being developed, at least in animal studies. With such a structure, this chapter is intended to provide a comprehensive, though not exhaustive, overview of nerve tissue engineering, which might be useful to students, researchers, clinicians, and biomedical entrepreneurs.
Nerve Tissue Engineering
SANNINO, Alessandro;MADAGHIELE, Marta;CARROZZO, MARINA;SALVATORE, LUCA;
2011-01-01
Abstract
In this chapter, we aim at providing an up-to-date review on nerve tissue engineering, focusing on both the peripheral and the central nervous systems (PNS and CNS, respectively). After introducing the pathophysiology of nerves and the social impact of nerve injuries, we overview the therapeutic approaches oriented toward inducing nerve regeneration, involving cellular, molecular, and scaffold-based strategies. A section is dedicated specifically to the PNS, with a critical focus on the actual therapeutic potential of experimental devices for the development of tissue-engineered medical products. A case study regarding the implementation of micropatterned collagen-based conduits in a clinical trial on PNS regeneration is also presented. Another section is dedicated to the ongoing research investigating the regenerative mechanisms of the CNS. In this context, spinal cord injury is assumed as a model lesion, for which complex tissue-engineered devices are being developed, at least in animal studies. With such a structure, this chapter is intended to provide a comprehensive, though not exhaustive, overview of nerve tissue engineering, which might be useful to students, researchers, clinicians, and biomedical entrepreneurs.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
