Fabrication and Evaluation of a Xenogeneic Decellularized Nerve-Derived Material: Preclinical Studies of a New Strategy for Nerve Repair

The repair and regeneration of transected peripheral nerves is an important area of clinical research, and the adhesion of anastomosis sites to surrounding tissues is a vital factor affecting the quality of nerve recovery after nerve anastomosis. This study involves the generation of a novel nerve repair membrane derived from decellularized porcine nerves using a unique, innovative technique. The decellularized nerve matrix was verified to be effective in eliminating cellular components, and it still retained some neural extracellular matrix components and bioactive molecules (collagens, glycosaminoglycans, laminin, fibronectin, TGF-β, etc.), which were mainly determined by proteomic analysis, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cytotoxicity, intracutaneous reactivity, hemolysis, and cell affinity analyses were conducted to confirm the biosecurity of the nerve repair membrane. The in vivo functionality was assessed in a rat sciatic nerve transection model, and indices of functional nerve recovery, including the measurement of the claw-spread reflex, nerve anastomosis site adhesion, electrophysiological properties, and the number of regenerated nerve fibers, were evaluated. The results indicated that the nerve repair membrane could effectively prevent adhesion between the nerve anastomosis sites and the surrounding tissues and enhance nerve regeneration, which could be attributed to its various bioactive components. In conclusion, the novel nerve repair membrane derived from xenogeneic decellularized nerves described in this study shows great potential auxiliary clinical treatment for peripheral nerve injuries.