Autophagy's Role in Oral and Maxillofacial Nerve Regeneration: A Review

The facial nerve, located in the maxillofacial region, is especially vulnerable to injury. Studies have shown that autophagy, the process of cellular degradation and recycling, plays a crucial role in peripheral nerve regeneration after injury. Schwann cells, the principal glia in the peripheral nervous system, facilitate axon regeneration after injury, and autophagy participates in regulating their function. Autophagy activation has been shown to increase nerve proliferation, reduce Schwann cell apoptosis, and facilitate nerve debris clearance, ultimately providing an ideal microenvironment for nerve engineering. However, some studies have shown inconsistent results, and the role of autophagy in oral and maxillofacial peripheral nerve regeneration is still limited. The potential clinical applications of autophagy promotion in nerve regeneration require further investigation.