Hierarchical microtopology and phase-specific delivery functionally restore ultralong nerve continuity across species

Repairing ultralong peripheral nerve defects remains a major clinical challenge, primarily due to the requirement for regenerative platforms to be capable of integrating spatial guidance with temporally resolved biochemical cues. To address this, we developed a clinically translatable, fully synthetic nerve conduit that aligns with native regenerative principles through hierarchical microtopological engineering and phase-specific molecular delivery. This design creates a proregenerative microenvironment by synchronizing structural cues with repair cascades. The neuroanatomically inspired core mimics the endoneurium and perineurium, providing extensive cell-scale contact guidance for axonal alignment and fasciculation. A dual-layered sheath ensures mechanical integrity, metabolic permeability, and selective exclusion of fibrotic tissue. Tailored to align with distinct phases of nerve repair, the conduit enables sequential release of spermidine and ascorbic acid. Spermidine resolves early inflammation, priming the niche for ascorbic acid-mediated debris clearance, axonal elongation, and remyelination. In both rat (2 centimeters) and beagle (5 centimeters) models of critical-sized sciatic nerve defects, the conduit supports structural and functional regeneration comparable to autografts while yielding superior outcomes in motor coordination and suppression of autotomy. This strategy offers a scalable and mechanistically informed solution for repairing ultralong nerve injuries with high translational promise.

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Publication Details

Journal
Science Advances
Published
2026-07-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aeb7931
Primary Topic
Nerve injury and regeneration
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Hierarchical microtopology and phase-specific delivery functionally restore ultralong nerve continuity across species

Meng Fan, Deling Kong, Xianhao Dong, Y ZHAO et al.
Science Advances
Nerve injury and regeneration
article

Hierarchical microtopology and phase-specific delivery functionally restore ultralong nerve continuity across species

Meng Fan, Deling Kong, Xianhao Dong, Y ZHAO, Adam C. Midgley, Yumin Yang, L Liu, Feiyi Li, Zhuangzhuang Yang, Bao Zheheng, Zijian Zhang, Yi-Xiang Wang, Mengyao Jia, Xinlong Wang, Shuwei Wang, Shuxin Dai
article en

Abstract

Repairing ultralong peripheral nerve defects remains a major clinical challenge, primarily due to the requirement for regenerative platforms to be capable of integrating spatial guidance with temporally resolved biochemical cues. To address this, we developed a clinically translatable, fully synthetic nerve conduit that aligns with native regenerative principles through hierarchical microtopological engineering and phase-specific molecular delivery. This design creates a proregenerative microenvironment by synchronizing structural cues with repair cascades. The neuroanatomically inspired core mimics the endoneurium and perineurium, providing extensive cell-scale contact guidance for axonal alignment and fasciculation. A dual-layered sheath ensures mechanical integrity, metabolic permeability, and selective exclusion of fibrotic tissue. Tailored to align with distinct phases of nerve repair, the conduit enables sequential release of spermidine and ascorbic acid. Spermidine resolves early inflammation, priming the niche for ascorbic acid-mediated debris clearance, axonal elongation, and remyelination. In both rat (2 centimeters) and beagle (5 centimeters) models of critical-sized sciatic nerve defects, the conduit supports structural and functional regeneration comparable to autografts while yielding superior outcomes in motor coordination and suppression of autotomy. This strategy offers a scalable and mechanistically informed solution for repairing ultralong nerve injuries with high translational promise.

Science AdvancesVol. 12(27)
Northwestern University (US), Nantong University (CN), Nankai University (CN), Tianjin First Center Hospital (CN), Chinese PLA General Hospital (CN), State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Tianjin Medical University (CN)
National Natural Science Foundation of China, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
Life in Land
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Nerve injury and regeneration
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