At Jiksak Bioengineering, we are developing axon-integrated artificial nerve conduits. These conduits comprises of our proprietary Nerve OrganoidTM axon bundles which serves as scaffolds for nerve regeneration.
In the central nervous system, nerves derived from the brain and the spinal cord branches off and forms nerve networks of the peripheral nervous system. These networks are important for motor and sensory functions.
When peripheral nerves are damaged due to accidents or diseases, motor disorders (paralysis of limbs, muscle weakness, etc.), sensory disorders (pain, numbness, etc.), or autonomic disorders (abnormal amounts of perspiration, change of skin color, etc.) are observed.
If the peripheral nerve damage is small, nerve-to-nerve suture can be use for treatment. However treatments for larger nerve injuries, autologous nerve graft from different parts of the body is used to replace the damaged nerve. Alternatively, an artificial nerve consisting of a regenerative nerve conduits is implanted to induce nerve regeneration.
Transplant illustration of autologous nerve graft (left) and artificial nerve conduit sutured to the remaining nerves (right) at the injured nerve site
Even though autologous nerve grafting is the standard treatment for peripheral nerve injury there is a loss of sensation at the site which the functional nerve is harvested. There is also a limit to the length of the autologous nerve that can be harvested. Furthermore, the multiple opening and closing of wounds performed places a heavy burden on the patient. On the other hand, the conventional artificial nerve regenerative conduit transplantation can overcome the above-mentioned problems of autologous nerve grafting, but it has been reported that the functional recovery is slow and efficacy is limited.
In other countries, “allogenic nerve grafting,” which overcomes these issues, is being used for treatment and high efficacy has been reported. In Japan, allogeneic nerve grafting is not approved, and hence there is a need for an alternative treatment method.
We at Jiksak Bioengineering are developing a new implantable device, an axon-integrated artificial nerve, to overcome the challenges of existing therapies.
The “axon-integrated artificial nerve” contains Nerve OrganoidTM which comprises of axon bundles with the cell body and nucleus removed. These axon bundles are assembled in a conduit are able to promote peripheral nerve regeneration and recovery of sensory and motor nerve functions.
Mass production of artificial nerve by using Nerve OrganoidTM Culture Chip
The axon bundles are assembled and the cell body containing the cell nucleus are removed.
The assembled axon bundles are inserted into a conduit
An axon-integrated artificial nerve of an appropriate size compatible to the length and thickness of the nerve gap is implanted at the site of injury. The conduit provides a linkage as well as a scaffold to the severed nerve ends and the axon bundles to facilitate patient’s nerve regeneration. In addition, the conduit is made of biodegradable material, which is eventually degraded, metabolized and excreted from the body.
