Comprehensive Development of a Cellulose Acetate and Soy Protein-Based Scaffold for Nerve Regeneration.
Brandon Gutiérrez, María Eugenia González-Quijón, Paulina Martínez-Rodríguez, Josefa Alarcón-Apablaza, Karina Godoy, Diego Pulzatto Cury, María Florencia Lezcano, Daniel Vargas-Chávez, Fernando José Dias
Author Information
Brandon Gutiérrez: Master Program in Dental Sciences, Dental School, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile.
María Eugenia González-Quijón: Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile.
Paulina Martínez-Rodríguez: Oral Biology Research Centre (CIBO-UFRO), Dental School, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile. ORCID
Josefa Alarcón-Apablaza: Research Centre in Dental Sciences (CICO-UFRO), Dental School, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile.
Karina Godoy: Scientific and Technological Bioresource Nucleus (BIOREN), Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile.
Diego Pulzatto Cury: Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Universidade de São Paulo (ICB-USP), São Paulo 05508-000, Brazil. ORCID
María Florencia Lezcano: Departamento de Bioingeniería, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional de Entre Ríos, Oro Verde 3100, Argentina. ORCID
Daniel Vargas-Chávez: Doctoral Program in Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile. ORCID
Fernando José Dias: Oral Biology Research Centre (CIBO-UFRO), Dental School, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco 4780000, Chile. ORCID
BACKGROUND: The elaboration of biocompatible nerve guide conduits (NGCs) has been studied in recent years as a treatment for total nerve rupture lesions (axonotmesis). Different natural polymers have been used in these studies, including cellulose associated with soy protein. The purpose of this report was to describe manufacturing NGCs suitable for nerve regeneration using the method of dip coating and evaporation of solvent with cellulose acetate (CA) functionalized with soy protein acid hydrolysate (SPAH). METHODS: The manufacturing method and bacterial control precautions for the CA/SPAH NGCs were described. The structure of the NGCs was analyzed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM); porosity was analyzed with a degassing method using a porosimeter. Schwann cell (SCL 4.1/F7) biocompatibility of cell-seeded nerve guide conduits was evaluated with the MTT assay. RESULTS: The method employed allowed an easy elaboration and customization of NGCs, free of bacteria, with pores in the internal surface, and the uniform wall thickness allowed manipulation, which showed flexibility; additionally, the sample was suturable. The NGCs showed initial biocompatibility with Schwann cells, revealing cells adhered to the NGC structure after 5 days. CONCLUSIONS: The fabricated CA/SPAH NGCs showed adequate features to be used for peripheral nerve regeneration studies. Future reports are necessary to discuss the ideal concentration of CA and SPAH and the mechanical and physicochemical properties of this biomaterial.
