Composite Fibrin and Carbon Microfibre Implant to Modulate Postraumatic Inflammation after Spinal Cord Injury

This study explores a new implant to help the spinal cord heal after an injury. The implant combines fibrin, a protein involved in blood clotting, with carbon microfibers. The goal is to reduce inflammation and encourage nerve regeneration. The researchers used special mice that have fluorescent cells, allowing them to watch how the body's immune system responds to the implant over time. They looked at how the implant affected inflammation and the growth of nerve fibers. The results suggest that the combined implant can help control inflammation and promote nerve regeneration, making it a promising approach for treating spinal cord injuries.

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  Fibrin alone initially shows biocompatibility but later triggers chronic microglial activation and axonal degeneration.
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  The inclusion of carbon microfibers (MFs) slows down fibrin degradation and enhances early immune cell recruitment, particularly monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs).
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  The composite fibrin-MF implant promotes a faster shift towards an anti-inflammatory environment and increased axonal regeneration over three months.