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Review
. 2021 May 25:9:674473.
doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.674473. eCollection 2021.

Natural Biomaterials as Instructive Engineered Microenvironments That Direct Cellular Function in Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering

Rebecca Powell  1   2 , Despoina Eleftheriadou  1   2   3 , Simon Kellaway  1   2 , James B Phillips  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Natural Biomaterials as Instructive Engineered Microenvironments That Direct Cellular Function in Peripheral Nerve Tissue Engineering

Rebecca Powell et al. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. .

Abstract

Nerve tissue function and regeneration depend on precise and well-synchronised spatial and temporal control of biological, physical, and chemotactic cues, which are provided by cellular components and the surrounding extracellular matrix. Therefore, natural biomaterials currently used in peripheral nerve tissue engineering are selected on the basis that they can act as instructive extracellular microenvironments. Despite emerging knowledge regarding cell-matrix interactions, the exact mechanisms through which these biomaterials alter the behaviour of the host and implanted cells, including neurons, Schwann cells and immune cells, remain largely unclear. Here, we review some of the physical processes by which natural biomaterials mimic the function of the extracellular matrix and regulate cellular behaviour. We also highlight some representative cases of controllable cell microenvironments developed by combining cell biology and tissue engineering principles.

Keywords: biomaterials; microenvironment; peripheral nerve; regeneration; tissue engineering.

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Conflict of interest statement

The reviewer KH-T declared a past collaboration with several of the authors (RP and JP) to the handling editor. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Biomaterials influence the behaviour of key cellular players in peripheral nerve regeneration including neurons, Schwann cells, immune cells, and vasculature. Successful regeneration is dependent on the interactions between these cells and the surrounding microenvironment, from cell adhesion to substrate stiffness, growth factors, and topographical gradients. Created with BioRender.com.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Integrins on the cell surface bind to extracellular matrix proteins such as laminin and collagen. Alterations to the extracellular matrix via matrix remodelling, the addition of matrix-bound nanovesicles and growth factors and mechanical stimuli can alter cellular behaviour. Understanding these interactions is important when designing nerve guidance constructs for peripheral nerve tissue engineering applications. Created with Biorender.com.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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