Conjugated therapy with coaxially printed neural stem cell-laden microfibers and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes on complete transactional spinal cord defects

Materials Today Bio, 2025 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtbio.2025.101639 · Published: March 4, 2025

Simple Explanation

This research explores a new way to treat complete spinal cord injuries by combining neural stem cell scaffolds with exosomes, which are tiny packages released by stem cells. The goal is to improve the environment around the injury to help nerve cells regenerate. The study found that exosomes from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (ucMSC-exos) can reduce inflammation and promote the growth and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) in lab experiments. In animal experiments with rats, transplanting both ucMSC-exos and NSC scaffolds led to reduced inflammation, more neuron growth, and improved blood vessel formation at the injury site, resulting in better recovery of movement compared to using NSC scaffolds alone.

Study Duration

4 Weeks

Participants

SD rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
ucMSC-exos can shift microglial polarization from pro-inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype.
2
ucMSC-exos facilitate proliferation and differentiation of primary NSCs in both petri dishes and 3D hydrogel bulks.
3
Conjugated therapy promoted cavity fulfilling, gave rise to more neurons and anti-inflammatory immune cells at lesion sites, as well as facilitated angiogenesis.

Research Summary

The study investigates a combined approach using neural stem cell (NSC) microfibers and umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (ucMSC-exos) to treat complete spinal cord injuries (SCI). In vitro results demonstrated that ucMSC-exos could shift microglial polarization to an anti-inflammatory phenotype and promote NSC proliferation and differentiation. In vivo experiments showed that the combined transplantation of ucMSC-exos and NSC microfibers led to decreased inflammation, increased neuron presence, enhanced angiogenesis, and improved locomotor function recovery in rats with complete transactional SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

The conjugated therapy with ucMSC-exos and NSC microfibers holds promise as a potential tool for complete SCI repair.

Microenvironment Improvement

The study highlights the importance of improving the local microenvironment for better NSC accommodation and differentiation.

Clinical Translation

Further research and prolonged observation times are needed to explore the clinical translation potential of this combined therapy.

Study Limitations

1
The observation time after transplantation was limited to 4 weeks for small defects and 8 weeks for large defects.
2
Statistical significance was not achieved for larger defects.
3
Further sequencing is needed to sort out the components of ucMSC-exos that facilitate neuronal differentiation of NSCs.

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