Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Nerve Conduit and Local Delivery of vegf and fgf2 Genes Stimulate Neuroregeneration

We studied regeneration of rat sciatic nerve while overcoming of a 5-mm diastasis with the aid of nanostructured conduit made of biocompatible and biodegradable poly(ε-caprolactone) and filled with fibrin hydrogel matrix. Implantation of the conduit into the nerve in combination with local delivery of the expression plasmid carrying genes encoding vascular endothelial growth factor ( vegf ) and fibroblast growth factor 2 ( fgf2 ) leads to an increase in number of myelinated fibers and S-100 + cells in the peripheral nerve stump and improved recovery of the nerve function. Under conditions of direct gene therapy, an advantage of electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) conduit with high-porosity was revealed on the basis of these criteria in comparison with biocompatible silicon conduit.