Alignment of Astrocytes Increases Neuronal Growth in Three-Dimensional Collagen Gels and Is Maintained Following Plastic Compression to Form a Spinal Cord Repair Conduit

TISSUE ENGINEERING: Part A, 2010 · DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2010.0017 · Published: October 1, 2010

Simple Explanation

After spinal cord injury, astrocytes form a scar that hinders nerve regeneration due to their disorganized arrangement. This study explores whether aligning astrocytes can promote nerve growth. The researchers used a 3D collagen gel system to align astrocytes and observed increased neurite length in areas with aligned astrocytes, without changes in astrocyte reactivity markers. The aligned gels were then compressed into implantable devices where astrocytes remained aligned and supported neurite outgrowth, suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy for spinal cord repair.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Sprague–Dawley rats

Evidence Level

In vitro study

Key Findings

1
Astrocyte alignment is significantly greater at the edge and middle of tethered rectangular collagen gels compared to unaligned delta zones.
2
Neurite length was greatest in areas of astrocyte alignment when neurons were seeded on and within astrocyte gels.
3
After plastic compression, astrocytes remained viable and aligned, continuing to support neurite outgrowth in the resulting implantable devices.

Research Summary

This study investigates the effect of astrocyte alignment on neuronal growth using a 3D collagen gel culture system, finding that aligned astrocytes enhance neurite outgrowth. The researchers developed an implantable device from compressed aligned astrocyte gels, demonstrating that astrocytes remain viable and aligned after compression and continue to support neurite outgrowth. The findings highlight the importance of astrocyte alignment as a potential therapeutic intervention for spinal cord repair, suggesting that encouraging host astrocyte infiltration, provided it is aligned, might be beneficial.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Target

Astrocyte alignment may serve as a therapeutic target for spinal cord injury repair.

Device Development

Aligned astrocyte constructs can be developed into implantable devices to promote nerve regeneration.

In Vivo Application

The study motivates further in vivo research to assess the effectiveness of aligned astrocyte implants in promoting functional recovery after spinal cord injury.

Study Limitations

1
Further work is required to assess the effectiveness of the approach, particularly investigating the maturity and source of the astrocytes and type of neurons.
2
Type I collagen is not normally found in the mammalian CNS.
3
The long-term stability and integration of the implanted devices in vivo need to be evaluated.

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