Chiral MoS2 @BC fibrous membranes selectively promote peripheral nerve regeneration

Abstract

Background Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) has excellent physical and chemical properties. Further, chiral MoS₂ (CMS) exhibits excellent chiroptical and enantioselective effects, and the enantioselective properties of CMS have been studied for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Intriguingly, left- and right-handed materials have different effects on promoting the differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons. However, the effect of the enantioselectivity of chiral materials on peripheral nerve regeneration remains unclear. Methods In this study, CMS@bacterial-cellulose (BC) scaffolds were fabricated using a hydrothermal approach. The CMS@BC films synthesized with L-2-amino-3-phenyl-1-propanol was defined as L-CMS. The CMS@BC films synthesized with D-2-amino-3-phenyl-1-propanol was defined as D-CMS. The biocompatibility of CMS@BC scaffolds and their effect on Schwann cells (SCs) were validated by cellular experiments. In addition, we implanted these scaffolds in rat sciatic nerve defect sites for three months. Results These chiral scaffolds display high hydrophilicity, good mechanical properties, and low cytotoxicity. Further, we found that the L-CMS scaffold was superior to the D-CMS scaffold in promoting Schwann cell (SC) proliferation. After 3 months, the scaffold showed good biocompatibility in vivo, and the nerve conducting velocities of the L-CMS and D-CMS scaffolds were 51.2 and 26.8 m/s, respectively. However, the L-CMS scaffolds showed a better regenerative effect than the D-CMS scaffolds. Similarly, the sciatic nerve function index and effects on the motor and electrophysiological functions were higher for the L-CMS than the D-CMS scaffolds. Finally, the axon diameter and myelin sheath thickness of the regenerated nerves improved in the L-CMS group. Conclusion We found that CMS can promote peripheral nerve regeneration, and in general, the L-CMS group exhibited superior repair. Overall, the findings of this study reveal that CMS can be used as a chiral nanomaterial nerve scaffolds for peripheral nerve repair.