A Modular Assembly of Spinal Cord–Like Tissue Allows Targeted Tissue Repair in the Transected Spinal Cord

Researchers created a spinal cord-like tissue (SCLT) in the lab using stem cells, mimicking the structure of the spinal cord's white and gray matter. The SCLT was designed in two parts: one resembling white matter (WMLT) and the other resembling gray matter (GMLT). When transplanted into rats with spinal cord injuries, the SCLT helped improve motor function, showing the potential for targeted repair of damaged spinal cord tissue.

• 1
  The SCLT, composed of WMLT and GMLT modules, shares structural, phenotypic, and functional similarities with the adult rat spinal cord.
• 2
  Transplantation of the SCLT into transected spinal cords resulted in significant motor function recovery in paralyzed hind limbs of rats.
• 3
  The SCLT facilitated the formation of a neuronal relay by donor neurons, enabling the conduction of descending and ascending neural inputs.