Tissue-Engineered Nerve Grafts: Material Innovations and Clinical Translation Challenges.

Abstract

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a common disabling condition primarily caused by trauma, such as traffic accidents and occupational injuries. Traditional treatments for PNI have significant limitations. Tissue-engineered nerve grafts (TENGs), which integrate biomaterials, neurotrophic factors, and seed cells, offer a novel solution for nerve regeneration. This review summarizes recent advances in TENGs, focusing on material optimization, preclinical studies, and challenges. Although TENGs show significant potential in repairing long-segment nerve defects, issues such as long-term safety, functional integration, and scalable production require further research. Future multidisciplinary innovations and optimized production processes may enable broader applications of TENGs in nerve regeneration medicine, providing more effective treatment options for patients.