Engineering strategies for peripheral nerve repair

Tissue engineering in the peripheral nervous system unites efforts by physi cians, engineers, and biologists toward a common goal to create either natu ral or synthetic tubular nerve guidance channels as alternatives to nerve a utografts for the repair of peripheral nerve defects. Guidance channels hel p direct axons sprouting from the regenerating nerve end, provide a conduit for diffusion of neurotropic and neurotrophic factors secreted by the dama ged nerve stumps, and minimize infiltration of fibrous tissue. In addition to efforts to control these physical characteristics of nerve guidance chan nels, researchers are optimizing the incorporation of biologic factors and engineering interactive biomaterial that can specifically stimulate the reg eneration process. It is believed that current and future research will ult imately result in biologically active and interactive nerve guidance channe ls that can support and enhance peripheral nerve regeneration over longer, more clinically relevant defect lengths.