Advances in research into the effect of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan on orderly regeneration of peripheral nerves

It is difficult for peripheral nerves to achieve effective and orderly regeneration after injury for there are always mismatched, curly and disorderly newborn axons. Chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPGs), a kind of widespread extracellular matrix generally considered to inhibit peripheral nerve regeneration, may play an important role in promoting orderly regeneration of axons depending on its classification, physiological characteristics and spatial and temporal distribution as well. Complementing traditional modes of regenerating axons, its flexible applications may benefit biomimetic construction of peripheral nerve grafts that purely increase the number of axons and thus promote orderly and effective regeneration after peripheral nerve lesions. Key words: Proteochondroitin sulfates; Peripheral nerves; Nerve regeneration