A Hyaluronic Acid Demilune Scaffold and Polypyrrole-Coated Fibers Carrying Embedded Human Neural Precursor Cells and Curcumin for Surface Capping of Spinal Cord Injuries

Biomedicines, 2021 · DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121928 · Published: December 16, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Biomedical

Simple Explanation

This study introduces a novel approach to treat spinal cord injuries using tissue engineering. It combines a hyaluronic acid scaffold, polypyrrole-coated fibers, neural precursor cells, and curcumin. The hyaluronic acid scaffold provides a base, the polypyrrole-coated fibers guide cell growth, the neural precursor cells replace damaged tissue, and the curcumin reduces inflammation and promotes healing. The combination showed promise in preserving nerve tissue and reducing scar formation in a rat model of spinal cord injury.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Sprague–Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
PuraMatrix hydrogel (PM) preserves iNPC viability, and curcumin (CURC) reduces apoptosis and enhances neurite outgrowth.
2
CURC enhances cell migration and induces a neuron-like morphology in iNPCs within spinal cord organotypic cultures.
3
The combination of PM-embedded iNPCs and CURC with PPY fibers increases neuro-preservation and decreases the injured area in rats with spinal cord injury.

Research Summary

This study presents a combinatorial tissue-engineered strategy for treating spinal cord injuries using a hyaluronic acid scaffold, polypyrrole-coated fibers, PuraMatrix hydrogel, human induced neural progenitor cells (iNPCs), and curcumin. In vitro results showed that PuraMatrix hydrogel preserves iNPC viability and curcumin reduces apoptosis, enhancing neurite outgrowth and cell migration. In vivo experiments on rats with spinal cord injuries indicated that this combination therapy increases neuro-preservation and decreases the injured area, suggesting a promising minimally invasive alternative to cell transplantation alone.

Practical Implications

Minimally Invasive Treatment

The surface capping approach offers a less invasive method for delivering cells and drugs to the injured spinal cord, reducing the risk of additional tissue damage.

Enhanced Neuroregeneration

The combination of iNPCs, curcumin, and PPY fibers promotes neuronal survival and reduces glial scar formation, supporting a more regenerative environment within the injured spinal cord.

Potential Clinical Translation

The use of biocompatible materials and human-derived cells makes this approach potentially translatable to clinical applications for spinal cord injury treatment.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted on a rat model, and results may not directly translate to humans.
2
The follow-up period was limited to one week, and long-term effects of the treatment were not evaluated.
3
The exact mechanisms by which PPY fibers contribute to neuronal preservation require further investigation.

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