Figure 6.

In vitro and in vivo characterization of regeneration with 3D printed nerve pathways. a) Effect of the diffusive NGF gradient on the guidance of the sensory neurite network growth (inset scale bar = 1,000 μm; a full size image is provided in Supporting Figure S7). b) Effect of the diffusive GDNF gradient on the migration velocity of Schwann cells (inset scale bar = 100 μm; arrow indicates direction of source and migration direction). c) Schematic of implanted nerve guide showing bifurcation into sensory and motor nerve paths. d) Photograph of an implanted 3D printed nerve guide prior to suturing. e) Histology of regenerated nerve showing cross-sections of regenerated nerves stained for tubulin (green) (scale bar = 50 μm). f) Comparison of the functional return in regenerated rat hind limbs (* indicates p-value < 0.05, ** indicates p-value < 0.01).