CNS Organoid Surpasses Cell-Laden Microgel Assembly to Promote Spinal Cord Injury Repair

This study explores different therapeutic approaches for spinal cord injury repair, focusing on nerve regeneration. The researchers compared various materials and configurations, including collagen and Matrigel in bead assembly and bulk gel form, with and without cells, and cerebral organoids as a pre-organized agent. The study found that Matrigel-based agents and cerebral organoid transplantations led to better axon regeneration and functional recovery compared to collagen gels. Additionally, bead assembly resulted in more uniform nerve infiltration than bulk gels. The transplantation of neural progenitor cells or cerebral organoids led to more regenerated nerve fibers than acellular materials. These findings suggest that transplanting exogenous cells is crucial for large spinal cord injuries, and in vitro maturation of microtissue complexes, such as organoids, may be necessary before transplantation for optimal nerve regeneration.

• 1
  Matrigel-based agents and cerebral organoid transplantations resulted in more axon regeneration and higher BBB scoring compared to collagen gels.
• 2
  New nerves infiltrated more uniformly into transplants in bead form assembly compared to molded chunks.
• 3
  Transplantation of bead-encapsulated NPCs contributes to neural tissue growth after injury.