| POLYMERS AND POLYMER MATRIX COMPOSITES |
|
|
|
|
|
| Research Progress on Self-healing Hydrogels for Promoting Nerve Repair and Regeneration |
| YANG Kuan1,2,*, YAO Boxing1,4, MA Chengwen3, WANG Shulei1,2, CHENG Gege1,2
|
1 Xi’an Key Laboratory for Research and Development of Innovative Multi-Target Antihypertensive Drugs, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China
2 Institute of Drug Research, College of Pharmacy, Xi’an Medical University, Xi’an 710021, China
3 Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710004, China
4 School of Pharmacy, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu 610500, China |
|
|
|
|
Abstract Nerve repair remains a significant challenge due to the need for simultaneous microenvironmental regulation and functional reconstruction. Central to this process is the design of spatiotemporally adaptive biomimetic matrices that integrate mechanical support, biochemical signaling, and electrophysiological conduction. Self-healing hydrogels, endowed with dynamic repairability and programmable bio-functionality, have emerged as a promising class of materials for neural repair. Here, we review recent advances in the material platforms and design strategies of self-healing hydrogels, emphasizing three key mechanisms:(i) recapitulation of extracellular matrix cues to direct axonal outgrowth, (ii) controlled delivery of neurotrophic factors to modulate the regenerative microenvironment, (iii) incorporation of conductive components to restore electrical signal transmission. These convergent approaches establish a theoretical foundation for the rational design of next-generation biomate-rials. Finally, this review provides a perspective on the opportunities and future directions of self-healing hydrogels in advancing nerve repair and regeneration.
|
|
Published: 10 August 2026
Online: 2026-08-31
|
|
|
|
|
1 Lee T J, Yun K R, Kim S K, et al. Advanced Materials, 2021, 33(51), 2105485.
2 Luo Y, Liu B, Qiu Y, et al. Bioactive Materials, 2025, 4(7), 432.
3 Liu Y, Fu R, Jia H, et al. Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, 2024, 26, 427.
4 Wils J, Duparc C, Cailleux A F, et al. Nature Communications, 2020, 11(1), 2673.
5 Baassiri M G E, Dosh L, Haidar H, et al. Burns, 2023, 49(5), 989.
6 Ali E D K, Kelly K, Luke P M S. Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology, 2019, 58(3), 298.
7 Wu Y T, W Y, Fu Z, et al. The FASEB Journal, 2023, 37(4), E22892.
8 Han F, Tu Z D, Zhu Z, et al. ACS Nano, 2023, 17(8), 7645.
9 Hilz M J, Liu M, Roy S K K, et al. Clinical Autonomic Research, 2019, 29(3), 301.
10 Annette L, Petra L, Arman C, et al. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 2022, 8(1), 41.
11 Wang W D, Zeng Z C, Xiang L, et al. ACS Nano, 2021, 15(6), 9913.
12 Yang Y Y, Xu L F, Wang J F, et al. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2021, 2(2), E21.
13 Sha Q, Wang Y K, Zhu Z, et al. Acta Biomaterialia, 2023, 167, 219.
14 Liu X Y, Wu C H, Zhang Y S, et al. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2023, 306, 120578.
15 Jiang Q S, Zhou L M, Yang Y, et al. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2024, 497, 154627.
16 He P, Gu G H, Xu Y Y, et al. Polymer, 2025, 319, 128064.
17 Zhang Y, Li L, Jiang X, et al. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024, 274, 133124.
18 Zhang Z, Li M, Cheng G, et al. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 2024, 15(1), 503.
19 Dong Q, Shi K, Ai J, et al. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2024, 13(31), 2401412.
20 Wang W, Yao H, Xia J, et al. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2025, 353, 123268.
21 Risangud N, Lertwimol T, Sitthisang S, et al. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025, 292, 139251.
22 Zhang X, Zhu Y, Liu W, et al. Polymer, 2024, 307, 127304.
23 Savitri C, Ha S S, Kwon W J, et al. Advanced Science, 2024, 11(18), 2305852.
24 Jing Y, Lou Y, Chai X, et al. Biomedical Materials & Devices, 2025, 3, 1422.
25 Ghanem B O G, Koktysh D, Baratta O R, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2023, 24(23), 17031.
26 Madaninasab P, Mohammadi M, Labbaf S. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 2024, 310(1), 2400229.
27 Bhardwaj D, Bhaskar R, Sharma K A, et al. ACS Applied Bio Materials, 2024, 7(2), 879.
28 Liu R, Bi S, Zhang L, et al. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2024, 12(40), 10346.
29 Shi M T, Dong R N, Hu J, et al. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2023, 457. 141110.
30 Su G H, Yin S Y, Guo Y H, et al. Materials Horizons, 2021, 8(6), 1795.
31 Hamideh J, Ahmad S R, Khatiboleslam S S, et al. International Journal of Polymeric Materials and Polymeric Biomaterials, 2024, 73(3), 165.
32 Chen R, Shi J, Zhao T, et al. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2024, 16(43), 58274.
33 Wang R, Xu T, Yang Y, et al. Advanced Materials, 2024, 37(6), 2412083.
34 Morales A H, Puc C E L, Badillo L M C, et al. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 2024, 112(10), 1760.
35 LaurÉN I, Farzan A, Teotia A, et al. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2024, 259(2), 129321.
36 Xu J P, Tai C H J, Chen T Y, et al. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2022, 446(3), 137180.
37 Liu X, Chen L, Sufu A, et al. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2025, 293, 138900.
38 Zhang Q, Huang Z, Jiang H, et al. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2025, 347, 122761.
39 Passornraprasit N, Hinestroza P J, Rodthongkum N, et al. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2025, 352, 123134.
40 İlyasoğlu G, Abdullah T, Okay O, et al. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 2025, 33, 1705.
41 Wang Y, Yang M G, Zhao Z. Carbohydrate Polymers, 2023, 310, 120723.
42 Mei R, Zhu H, Bai H, et al. Colloids and Surfaces A:Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2025, 706, 135788.
43 Lu K, Lan X, Folkersma R, et al. Biomacromolecules, 2024, 25(12), 8026.
44 Liu C L, Fu L H, Jiang T, et al. Polymer, 2021, 230, 124006.
45 Ma M L, Yang J M, Ye Z P, et al. Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 2020, 306(2), 2000577.
46 Hun S P, Jin H J, Bae Y J, et al. Small, 2021, 17(40), 2103244.
47 Sun Y, Ren Y Y, Li Q, et al. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2019, 37(11), 1053.
48 Yu X, Huang J, Wu C, et al. Scientific Reports, 2025, 15(1), 1893.
49 Li Y, Zhou T, Yu Z, et al. New Journal of Chemistry, 2020, 44(10), 4061.
50 Su E, Okay O. European Polymer Journal, 2017, 88, 191.
51 Chakraborty P, Tang Y M, Guterman T, et al. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2020, 59(52), 23731.
52 Chen Q, Feng L, Cheng H T, et al. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2021, 9(9), 2221.
53 Liu Y J, Zhao R Z, Li S H, et al. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2023, 15(17), 21640.
54 Lan T, Dong Y B, Shi J J, et al. Aggregate, 2024, 5(6), E639.
55 Du W F, Li H, Luo J, et al. Cellulose, 2024, 31, 6373.
56 Zhang Z J, Bu J S, Li B Y, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2022, 23(22), 13817.
57 Zhou Z W, Wang Z F, Liu X J, et al. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 2022, 70, 103210.
58 Altinbasak I, Kocak S, Sanyal R, et al. Biomacromolecules, 2022, 23(9), 3525.
59 Chen L J, Wang S, Guo Z Y, et al. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 2022, 33(8), 2528.
60 Jiang X Y, Zeng F W, Yang X F, et al. Acta Biomaterialia, 2022, 141, 102.
61 Lu X T, Li Y Y, Feng W, et al. Colloids and Surfaces A:Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 2019, 561, 325.
62 Dong Q, Yang X D, Liang X, et al. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2023, 15(20), 24120.
63 Sun Z, Hu H, Zhang X, et al. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2024, 12(9), 2253.
64 Li Z, Zhao Q, Zhou J, et al. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025, 23(1), 12.
65 Xu C, Jiang X, Yin W, et al. Journal of Materials Chemistry B, 2024, 13(2), 683.
66 Xu W L, Wu Y F, Lu H, et al. Acta Biomaterialia, 2023, 160, 225.
67 Liu Y, Hsu Y H, et al. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2020, 12(36), 40108.
68 Sun Z, Luan X, Sun Z, et al. Small, 2024, 21(2), 2406990.
69 Fan N, Song D, Ding H, et al. Acta Biomaterialia, 2025, 194, 122.
70 Wu W B, Dong Y C, Liu H F, et al. Materials Today Bio, 2023, 20, 100652.
71 Yang S H, Pan J, Fu H J, et al. Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, 2025, 8(2), 185.
72 Cai C, Zhu H M, Chen Y J, et al. Applied Materials Today, 2022, 27, 101491.
73 Zhang D, Chang R, Ren Y K, et al. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2022, 219, 844.
74 Fan L, Xiao C R, Guan P F, et al. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2022, 11(1), 2101556.
75 Liu M S, Zhang W C, Han S W, et al. Advanced Materials, 2024, 36(21), e2313672. |
|
|
|
渝公网安备50019002502923号 © Editorial Office of Materials Reports.
2026, Vol. 40 
