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International Journal of Bioprinting Preparation and characterization of branched NGCs

Figure 5. The designed branched NGC architectures could affect nerve regeneration, and the regenerated branched nerves exhibit comparable
electrophysiology conduction.

Previous attempts by Johnson et al. involved the fabrication The distal stump has been documented to exhibit a guiding
of a “Y”-shaped branched conduit using an extrusion- effect on regenerated nerves within branched conduits,
based 3D printing process. However, extrusion-based akin to a neurotropic effect. Moreover, another study has
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techniques, with their relatively low printing precision, fall found that nerve segments could grow along a bifurcation
short of meeting the requirements for fabricating multi- pathway even in the absence of a connection to a distal
branched NGCs. Additionally, the reported branched segment. However, the extent of outgrowth is significantly
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conduit was composed of non-biodegradable silicone, augmented in a pathway connected to a distal stump
potentially compromising the creation of a conducive as opposed to an empty pathway. In our study, the two
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microenvironment for nerve regeneration. In our study, regenerated branches in dual-branched NGCs exhibited
DLP 3D printing exhibited excellent resolution, speed, similarities, attributed to the symmetrical nature of the
and flexibility in constructing branched NGCs. 26,50,66,67 two pathways within the scaffold. Both pathways shared
Additionally, the GelMA/PEGDA hydrogel NGC developed identical lengths and a homogeneous microenvironment.
was both biodegradable and biocompatible, featuring high However, the mechanisms underlying comparable nerve
water content. This composition provides an enhanced regeneration in various DNB configurations warrant
biomimetic microenvironment for nerve regeneration further exploration. Meanwhile, different nerve branch
when compared to silicone, resin, or polylactic regenerations observed in MBNs may be related to
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acid (PLA) and poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) PCL. 16 different neurotrophic effects and varying regenerated
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Volume 10 Issue 3 (2024) 223 doi: 10.36922/ijb.1750