Development of chitosan-crosslinked nanofibrous PHBV guide for repair of nerve defects.

The aim of this study was to produce a chitosan-crosslinked nanofibrous biodegradable poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) nerve conduit. The artificial scaffold was designed by electrospinning method, and cross-linked with chitosan by chemical method. The scaffolds were evaluated by microscopic, physical, and mechanical analyses, and cell culture assays with Schwann cells. Results of analyses showed a good resilience and compliance with movement as a neural graft. Cellular experiments showed a better cell adhesion and growth inside the crosslinked nanofibrous scaffolds compared with un-crosslinked ones. This neural conduit appears to have the right organization for testing in vivo nerve tissue engineering studies.