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Silk fibroin (SF) has been used extensively in the biomedical field including tissue engineering for the generation of artificial bones, skins or ligaments. We have previously reported on good in vitro biocompatibility of SF fibers with peripheral nerve tissues and cells. In the present study, we developed a novel design of the SF-based artificial nerve graft (SF graft) which was composed of a SF-nerve guidance conduit (NGC) inserted with SF fibers. MTT assay was performed to determine the cytotoxicity of the SF-NGC extract fluid on the cultured L929 cells derived from an immortalized mouse fibroblast cell line. In addition, this SF graft was implanted into adult rats for bridging a 10-mm long sciatic nerve defect. The following-up experiments at initial stage (1-4 week) of nerve regeneration including routine blood tests and histochemical investigation were conducted to evaluate the in vivo biocompatibility of the SF graft with peripheral nerves. The results demonstrated that the SF-NGC graft was biocompatible with the surrounding tissues and cells due to its low inflammatory potential with a grade 0 under the U.S. Pharmacopeia guidelines and it was generally suitable to a certain degree for bridging peripheral nerve defects in virtue of supporting Schwann cell adherence, expansion and migration. Therefore the SF graft is a promising alternative to classical autografts for peripheral nerve repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A four-channel neural signal detecting module with an implantable 12-contact cuff electrode was designed for real-time neural signal recording on peripheral and central nerves. The mathematic coupling model between nerve and electronic system was analyzed. Electrode connection configurations were considered. The detecting circuit included an input coupling network, a pre-amplifier, and some filtering and notching stages. Shield guarding and the right-leg-driven circuit were developed for further elimination of common mode interference. By electrode switches, the module could cooperate with a nerve functional electrical stimulation circuit, building a neural channel bridge-connection system. It was tested by recording experiments on rat's sciatic and spine nerves. The signals in spontaneous and evoked conditions have been captured successfully. In addition, an implantable neural signal detecting CMOS IC has been introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of nerve regeneration factor (NRF) on neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells and its signaling pathway are investigated by morphological observation and immunofluorescent cytochemical method, and the activity of ERK1/2 in NRF-treated PC12 cells in absence of serum is also studied by immuno-coprecipitation and Western blot analysis. The MEK1/2-specific inhibitor U0126, the broad-spectrum protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Gö6983 and tyrosine protein kinase (TPK) inhibitor genistein were used to determine the roles of the activation of ERK1/2 by NRF and the involvement of certain kinds of PKC or TPK receptor in this activation process. The results show that U0126 and Gö6983 inhibit the activation of ERK1/2 by NRF to different extents, while genistein has no effect on it, demonstrating that NRF remarkably induces neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells through activating ERK1/2 in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]