Biomaterial-Supported Cell Transplantation Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury: Challenges and Perspectives

Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 2018 · DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00430 · Published: January 11, 2018

Regenerative Medicine Neurology Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries lead to a disruption of neuronal connections, resulting in loss of motor control and sensory input, which can be addressed with biomaterial-supported cell transplantation. Cell-based transplantation replaces or protects damaged tissue and provides trophic support for axonal regrowth, while biomaterial scaffolds protect cells and provide physical support. Combining cell transplantation with biomaterial implantation enhances scaffold integration and regenerative growth potential, making it a promising approach for spinal cord injury treatment.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Schwann cells, astrocytes, olfactory ensheathing cells, mesenchymal stem cells, and neural stem and progenitor cells have been used with biomaterial scaffolds to promote axonal regeneration.
2
Biomaterial scaffolds can fulfill multiple functions for SCI transplantation approaches, including providing three-dimensional microarchitectures, physical matrix for cell adhesion, and controlling the release of encapsulated bio-active molecules.
3
Combining biomaterials with neural stem and progenitor cells enhances cell survival, differentiation, tissue preservation, and axonal regeneration, potentially leading to functional improvements after spinal cord injury.

Research Summary

This review assesses combinatorial strategies of biomaterial-supported cell transplantation to reconstruct lost host tissue physically, cellularly and chemically after SCI, to increase cell survival and provide axons with physical, directional guidance and trophic support to regenerate toward disconnected targets. Cell-seeded biomaterial scaffolds reduce tissue loss, inflammation, and reactive astrogliosis, while increasing tissue integrity and bridging of the lesion site, which can lead to increased axonal growth and functional improvements. The work in biomaterial-supported cell transplantation strongly encourages a path forward toward combinatorial treatment of SCI and warrants further investigation and refinement of treatment strategies.

Practical Implications

Enhanced Axonal Regrowth

Combining cell transplantation with biomaterials can lead to greater axonal regrowth and improved functional outcomes compared to using either method alone.

Improved Cell Survival

Biomaterial scaffolds provide a protective environment for transplanted cells, improving their survival rates in the harsh post-SCI environment.

Targeted Tissue Engineering

Cell-seeded biomaterials can be tailored to address specific challenges in SCI, such as tissue loss, inflammation, and axonal regeneration, offering a promising tissue engineering strategy.

Study Limitations

1
The field of cell-seeded biomaterials is in its infancy and primarily focused on proof-of-concept experiments.
2
Many studies utilize drastic hemisection or full transection injury models, which may not accurately reflect human contusion/compression injuries.
3
Autologous cell types may require longer periods of culturing, making immediate transplantation impossible in sub-acute SCI cases.

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