Engineered Regenerative Isolated Peripheral Nerve Interface for Targeted Reinnervation
Jinju Kwon, Seongsu Eom, Jeong Sik Kong, Dong‐Woo Cho, Dong Sung Kim, Junesun Kim
Abstract
Abstract A regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) offers a therapeutic solution for nerve injury through reconstruction of the target muscle. However, implanting a transected peripheral nerve into an autologous skeletal muscle graft in RPNI causes donor‐site morbidity, highlighting the need for tissue‐engineered skeletal muscle constructs. Here, an engineered regenerative isolated peripheral nerve interface (eRIPEN) is developed using 3D skeletal cell printing combined with direct electrospinning to create a nanofiber membrane envelop for host nerve implantation. In this in vivo study, after over 8 months of RPNI surgery, the eRIPEN exhibits a minimum Feret diameter of 15–20 µm with a cross‐sectional area of 100–500 µm 2 , representing the largest distribution of myofibers. Furthermore, neuromuscular junction formation and muscle contraction with a force of ≈28 N are observed. Notably, the decreased hypersensitivity to mechanical/thermal stimuli and an improved tibial functional index from −77 to −56 are found in the eRIPEN group. The present novel concept of eRIPEN paves the way for the utilization and application of tissue‐engineered constructs in RPNI, ultimately realizing neuroprosthesis control through synaptic connections.