Successful repair of long-distance peripheral nerve injuries remains a challenge in the clinic. Rapid axon growth is a key to accelerate nerve regeneration. Herein, a pure silk fibroin (SF) hydrogel with a combination of high-strength and aligned microgrooved topographic structure is reported. The hydrogels exhibit excellent mechanical properties with high strength. Good biocompatibility also allows the hydrogels to support cell survival. Significantly, the hydrogel with aligned microgrooved structures enables the aligned growth of Schwann cells. Moreover, the hydrogel holds a strong capacity for promoting axon growth and guiding neurite sprouting. Thus, this micropatterned SF hydrogel would have great potential for peripheral nerve regeneration.

中文翻译：

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纯丝素蛋白水凝胶，具有稳定的对准微模式，可促进周围神经再生

成功修复远距离周围神经损伤仍然是临床上的挑战。轴突的快速生长是加速神经再生的关键。在此，报道了具有高强度和对齐的微槽形地形结构的组合的纯丝素蛋白（SF）水凝胶。水凝胶显示出高强度的优异机械性能。良好的生物相容性还可以使水凝胶支持细胞存活。重要的是，具有对齐的微沟槽结构的水凝胶能够使雪旺氏细胞对齐生长。此外，水凝胶具有促进轴突生长和引导神经突发芽的强大能力。因此，这种微图案化的SF水凝胶将具有巨大的潜力，可以促进周围神经的再生。