Bioengineered Conductive Scaffolds for Neural Tissue Engineering

Tissue-engineered biomaterials are being widely tested as a therapeutic approach for peripheral nerve regeneration. The ability to tune the properties of the scaffolds to contain multiple cues has positive results on both in vitro and in vivo models. Injuries to peripheral nerves often lead to loss of motor and sensory functions and have a significant socioeconomic impact on an individual's life. The current gold standard for peripheral nerve injury is autografts, but has limitations such as lack of donor grafts and size mismatch. Hence, decellularized allografts and xenografts are utilized as alternatives. Tissue engineering offers alternative approach to support the innate regenerative ability of the human body, although the development of biological substitutes. Tissue-engineered therapies mimic the physiological environment favorable to support the innate regeneration through cytoskeletal scaffold structure, support cells, and external stimuli. Electrical stimulation (ES) has been shown to initiate molecular cascades that support functional restoration of injured nerves. Bioengineered electroconductive material facilitates the delivery of external stimulation, which enhances the regeneration potential. Conductive biomaterials are currently tested in vivo and in vitro due to its positive impact on neural cells and glial cells. This article reviews electrically conductive biomaterial scaffolds, including current scaffold fabrication techniques, different types of conductive biomaterials, and the response of peripheral nerve cells to ES. The review article aims to elucidate the potential of electrically conductive biomaterials combined with exogenous ES on nerve regeneration.