Collagen-based biomaterials in neural injury repair: current advances and future perspectives

Abstract

Neural injuries, such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and peripheral nerve injury, result in substantial physical and functional impairments, significantly reducing quality of life. Current treatments, including drug therapy and surgical interventions, have limited efficacy in promoting neural regeneration and facilitating functional recovery. To overcome these limitations, collagen-based biomaterials have emerged as a promising alternative, owing to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, low immunogenicity, and ability to mimic the natural extracellular matrix. This review highlights recent applications of collagen-based materials in neural injury repair, including cell therapies, neurotrophin delivery, and extracellular vesicle carriers. These materials have shown potential in promoting cell survival, axonal regeneration, and reducing inflammation across various neural injury models. Despite challenges in optimizing scaffold design, controlling drug release, and ensuring biocompatibility, promising preclinical results suggest a bright future for collagen-based biomaterials in treating neural injuries.

Graphical Abstract