Effects of Transplanted Heparin-Poloxamer Hydrogel Combining Dental Pulp Stem Cells and bFGF on Spinal Cord Injury Repair

Stem Cells International, 2018 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/2398521 · Published: March 27, 2018

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are severe and have limited effective treatments due to their complex nature. A promising approach involves tissue engineering, combining scaffolds, cells, and growth factors to aid in SCI repair. This study focuses on using dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), known for their neuroprotective properties, along with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), which supports cell survival and neural regeneration. The study introduces a thermosensitive heparin-poloxamer (HP) hydrogel, designed to contain DPSCs and bFGF. This hydrogel is tested for its impact on neuron restoration following SCI, using various methods such as functional recovery tests, western blotting, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histology evaluation, and immunohistochemistry to assess its effectiveness. The results suggest that transplanting HP hydrogel with DPSCs and bFGF significantly aids spinal cord repair and regeneration. This combination presents a potentially effective strategy for neuron repair, functional recovery, and overall tissue regeneration after SCI, marking a step forward in SCI treatment approaches.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

72 Sprague–Dawley female rats (200–250 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Transplanted HP hydrogel containing DPSCs and bFGF had a significant impact on spinal cord repair and regeneration.
2
DPSCs combined with bFGF enhanced motor and sensory functional recovery after SCI.
3
Transplantation of HP hydrogel possessing DPSCs and bFGF could prevent apoptosis and promote new neuron regeneration at both early and later postoperative stages of SCI.

Research Summary

This study explores a novel approach to spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment using a combination of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and a heparin-poloxamer (HP) hydrogel. The hydrogel is designed to deliver DPSCs and bFGF directly to the site of injury to promote tissue regeneration and functional recovery. The experiments involved in vitro characterization of DPSCs and hydrogels, followed by in vivo transplantation in a rat model of SCI. Various assessments including functional tests, western blotting, MRI, and histological analysis were performed to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. The results indicated that the HP hydrogel containing DPSCs and bFGF significantly improved spinal cord repair, reduced apoptosis, and enhanced motor and sensory functional recovery in rats with SCI. This suggests a promising therapeutic strategy for SCI treatment.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Strategy

The combination of HP hydrogel, DPSCs, and bFGF represents a promising therapeutic strategy for SCI treatment.

Clinical Translation

The findings support the potential translation of this approach to clinical applications for neuron repair, function restoration, and tissue regeneration after SCI.

Future Research

Further studies are needed to optimize the composition and delivery of the hydrogel, DPSCs, and bFGF for maximizing therapeutic efficacy in SCI patients.

Study Limitations

1
The study is limited to a rat model of SCI, and the results may not be directly applicable to humans.
2
Long-term effects and potential side effects of the transplanted hydrogel, DPSCs, and bFGF were not fully evaluated.
3
The exact mechanisms by which DPSCs and bFGF promote spinal cord repair require further investigation.

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