Evaluation of Electronspun Silk Fibroin-Based Transplants Used for Facial Nerve Repair

Abstract

To study whether regenerated electrospun silk fibroin (SF) nanofibers as nerve conduits could improve nerve regeneration microenvironment and induce the facial nerve regeneration of Sprague-Dawley rats. Electrospun SF nanofibers were prepared to bridge a 5-mm facial nerve defect in Sprague-Dawley rats. Three months after implantation, a comprehensive morphologic and functional evaluation was performed by electrophysiology, histology, Fluorogold retrograde tracing, and transmission electron micrograph. The SF nanofiber tube exhibited good biocompatibility in vivo, and no distinct regional inflammation response and scar formation was observed. After 3 months of operation, the morphologic and functional investigation has shown a positive evaluation on the nerve repair outcome elicited by SF nanofiber graft and autograft. Electrospun SF grafts could promote nerve regeneration after facial nerve injury and become a potential possibility of newly developed nerve grafts as an alternative of autografts to peripheral nerve regeneration.