Ready to use biodegradable and biocompatible cell-based nerve conduit for nerve injury and a method of preparation thereof

An artificial tissue construct for nerve repair and regeneration, comprising:

• a lyophilized, physico-chemical treated, biocompatible and biodegradable nerve conduit matrix comprising cross-linked composite polymers comprising 1%-10% w/v of gelatin having 50-300 bloom strength, 0.5%-2.5% w/v of chitosan, 0.1%-2% w/v of hyaluronic acid, 0.1%-10% w/v of collagen based on the total weight of the nerve conduit matrix, wherein a cross-linker comprising 5%-50% w/v of glutaraldehyde solution based on the total weight of the nerve conduit matrix forms the cross-linked composite polymers, wherein said nerve conduit matrix is formed as a three-dimensional scaffold polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) and configured into a hollow cylindrical conduit form having open and interconnected pores of different sizes to facilitate vascularization and nutrient exchange for nerve regrowth;
• and
• human mesenchymal stem cells at passage 2 to passage 5, differentiated by sequential treatment with B-mercaptoethanol (BME), followed by all-trans-retonoic acid (ATRA) and then platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and heregulin growth factor (HRG) into elongated, spindle shaped Schwann cell phenotypes seeded and grown onto the hollow cylindrical conduit at a cell density of 0.5×105 to 0.8×105 cell/cm2 to form a subconfluent, monolayer that is 80% to 100% confluent for direct implantation or delivery.