The nerve center of organ engineering
Summary
Engineering replacement organs is the next frontier in therapeutic technologies. Yet, the integration of innervation-critical for organ development, function, and homeostasis-remains underexplored. This review highlights the role of neural inputs in regulating critical organs including pancreas, liver, salivary gland, and spleen. We examine organ-specific neuroanatomy and emerging strategies to incorporate neuronal-axonal networks in engineered organs, drawing from innovations in scaffold design, multi-cell culture techniques, neural engineering, and biofabrication. Finally, we discuss tools for evaluating innervation across in vitro, preclinical, and clinical settings, advocating for innervation as a core design element in next-generation artificial organs. © 2025. The Author(s).
| Authors | Das S, Gordián-Vélez WJ, Dave JR, Ali ZS, Ledebur HC, Cullen DK |
|---|---|
| Journal | Nature communications |
| Publication Date | 2025 Nov 7;16(1):9834 |
| PubMed | 41203596 |
| PubMed Central | PMC12594959 |
| DOI | 10.1038/s41467-025-64801-4 |