Application potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSCs) based tissue-engineering for spinal cord defect repair in rat fetuses with spina biﬁda aperta

J Mater Sci: Mater Med, 2016 · DOI: 10.1007/s10856-016-5684-7 · Published: February 19, 2016

Regenerative Medicine Neurology Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Spina biﬁda aperta is a birth defect where the spinal cord doesn't fully close during pregnancy. This study explores using tissue engineering to help repair the damage. Researchers used a special material (chitosan–gelatin scaffold) and stem cells from bone marrow (BMSCs) to try to heal the spinal cord defect in rat fetuses with spina biﬁda. The results showed that this approach helped to close the skin defect and allowed the stem cells to grow and turn into nerve cells in the damaged area.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

52 pregnant rats, 134 fetal rats

Evidence Level

Level IV, Animal study

Key Findings

1
The chitosan–gelatin scaffold seeded with BMSCs promoted cell adhesion, spreading, and in vitro viability.
2
Transplantation of the scaffold combined with BMSCs decreased the defective region of spinal cord in rat fetuses with spina biﬁda aperta.
3
The transplanted BMSCs survived, grew, and expressed markers of neural stem cells and neurons in the defective spinal cord.

Research Summary

This study investigates the potential of using a tissue-engineered construct, consisting of a chitosan–gelatin scaffold seeded with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), for prenatal repair of spinal cord defects in rat fetuses with spina biﬁda aperta. The results demonstrate that prenatal transplantation of the scaffold combined with BMSCs can effectively treat spinal cord defects in fetuses by promoting neuron regeneration and repairing the defective region. The study highlights the biocompatibility and slow biodegradation of the biomaterial, along with the differentiation of BMSCs into neural stem cells and neurons within the defective spinal cord.

Practical Implications

Potential Treatment for Spina Bifida

Prenatal transplantation of a scaffold combined with BMSCs could be a potential treatment for spinal cord defects in fetuses with spina bifida.

Regenerative Medicine Advance

The study demonstrates a new strategy for tissue engineering by implanting a chitosan-gelatin scaffold seeded with labeled eGFP-BMSCs in fetal rats with spina bifida.

Future Research

Further studies are needed to assess long-term functional outcomes and optimize the timing of transplantation for improved results.

Study Limitations

1
Limited injection space affects the amount of surviving BMSCs.
2
Ethical concerns surrounding the use of stem cells.
3
The study is performed on rats, and the results may not directly translate to humans.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Regenerative Medicine