Nerve guidance tubes

Figure 64 Modified nerve guidance tubes. Conventional hollow nerve tubes are modified by optimizing porosity, inclusion of growth factors and supportive cells, incorporating an internal framework and multichannel structure, or using a conductive polymer to enhance nerve outgrowth and regeneration (De Ruiter et al., 2009).

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) is particularly attractive for biomedical engineering applications (Figure 2.57). Because of its physical properties and high biocompatibility, this polymer is widely used in medical fields especially contact lenses, kerato prostheses, and as orbital implants. The PHEMA scaffold could be easily incorporated into the nerve guidance tubes [404]. 

Belkas, J. S. Shoichett, M.S. Midha, R. Peripheral nerve regeneration through guidance tubes. Algwro/i fiwpJ004,26, 151-160. 

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) play critical roles in all facets of nervous system development and maintenance. Important phenomena in which CAMs are involved include initial formation of the neural tube and the neural crest, migration of all neurons and glial cells, axonal outgrowth and guidance, target selection, synaptic stabilization and plasticity, myelination and nerve regeneration after injury (see Chs 4,24,28-30 and 53). Adhesion molecules interact with each other and with nonadhesive cell-surface and/or cytoplasmic molecules, and, in the two... 

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