Myelinated nerve bundles developed on the plano‐concave fibers containing nerve conduit

Abstract Morphologically and chemically modified plano‐concave fibers (PCFs) are designed as a unit of guided channels for supporting Schwann cells to facilitate mass transport and promote nerve regeneration. The surface‐modified PCFs are imprinted with linearly patterned grooves (LPGs) to guide adherent Schwann cell elongation and axon extension. After being cocultured with PC12 neuron‐like cells, Schwann cells differentiate into the myelinated type and interact with PC12 axons. The myelinated axons aggregate as a linear bundle and extend along the direction of LPGs on a PCF. The cross section of a myelin structure is examined using a transmission electron microscope. The PCFs can potentially bridge gaps in injured nerves, improving the therapeutic efficacy of nerve regeneration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 100A:3490–3495, 2012.