Magnetic guidance for nerve repair

Biomaterials After an injury, peripheral nerve regeneration is possible but often fails to fully restore function, in part because of the need for slow-moving axons to traverse long distances. Although adult stem cell therapies have shown some promise, there is a challenge in getting enough cells to the injury. Soto et al. enhanced adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell delivery by loading the cells with citric acid–coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles. Tests were done in rats using a Wallerian degeneration model of the sciatic nerve. By magnetically guiding the cells to the injury site, they were able to improve recovery, with partial conservation of the nerve structure and indications of remyelination. Acta Biomater. 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.05.050 (2021).