REVIEW article
Front. Surg.
Sec. Neurosurgery
This article is part of the Research TopicAdvances in Nerve Repair and RegenerationView all 5 articles
The Neuroimmune Microenvironment of Peripheral Nerve Injury: Mechanisms, Pathophysiology, and Therapeutic Implications
Provisionally accepted
- The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, United States
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The peripheral nervous system has the remarkable capacity for spontaneous regeneration after injury. Despite this inherent capability, clinical outcomes remain poor and are often hallmarked by pathophysiologic neuroma formation and limited neurologic recovery. Inflammation is fundamental for successful regeneration but can propagate pathophysiologic outcomes when aberrantly activated. Although the numerous mechanisms whereby nerve regeneration is derailed into a pathophysiologic state have yet to be established, a growing body of research has elaborated the interplay of neuroimmune interactions in successful nerve regeneration. In this review, we synthesize the current understanding of neuroimmune interactions in traumatic peripheral nerve injury, regeneration, and pathophysiology across three domains: 1) resident immune response; 2) innate immune response; and 3) adaptive immune response. Here, we examine the temporal dynamics of immune cell recruitment, polarization, and functional contributions during Wallerian degeneration and regeneration. We propose potential mechanisms of pathophysiologic regeneration, including failed inflammatory resolution and neuron–immune interactions that sustain maladaptive responses. Finally, we aim to connect these basic science mechanisms to current therapeutic strategies. Specifically, we detail how pharmacologic interventions, energetic stimulation, and hydrogel or conduit-based approaches may modulate the immune response and shape the microenvironment to improve regenerative outcomes. Collectively, a comprehensive understanding of the bidirectional interactions among neural, immune, and other local cell types within the injury microenvironment is critical for developing strategies to improve nerve regeneration and neurologic outcomes.
Keywords: neuroimmune, Neuroinflammation, Neuroma, peripheral nerve injury, Peripheral Nervous System, Regeneration, translational therapies, Wallerian Degeneration
Received: 13 Nov 2025; Accepted: 19 Jan 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 Warner, Rose, Yeoh, Muhlestein, Noroozi Gilandehi and Mahan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Mark A Mahan
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