Electrospun Fibers for Spinal Cord Injury Research and Regeneration

JOURNAL OF NEUROTRAUMA, 2016 · DOI: 10.1089/neu.2015.4165 · Published: August 1, 2016

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Biomedical

Simple Explanation

Electrospinning uses a high voltage to draw micrometer and nanometer diameter fibers from a polymer solution. These fibers can then be used as a scaffold for neural applications. Electrospun fibers have shown promise in supporting axonal regeneration in rodent models of spinal cord injury, potentially offering an alternative to nerve grafts. Electrospun fibers can be modified to release therapies locally or physically modified to direct neural stem cell differentiation, enhancing their therapeutic potential.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

in vivo rodent models of spinal cord injury

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Aligned electrospun fibers can guide neurite extension from neural stem cells along the length of the fibers, similar to other engineered approaches.
2
Fibers with diameters between 750 nm and 5 μm may be most suitable for instigating the greatest neurite extension.
3
Electrospun fibers can be used to understand the behavior of CNS cells, for example, oligodendrocytes myelinate electrospun fibers in a diameter-dependent manner.

Research Summary

Electrospun fibers show promise as synthetic nerve guidance scaffolds due to their ability to improve axonal extension. The versatility of electrospun fibers lies in the ability to use a wide range of materials and incorporate therapeutic agents for sustained release. Electrospun fibers can serve as a valuable tool for understanding biological processes in both healthy and injured central nervous systems.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Delivery

Electrospun fibers can be engineered to deliver drugs or proteins directly to the site of injury, offering targeted and sustained release.

Guidance Cues

Electrospun fibers can be designed with specific alignment and diameter to guide axonal regeneration, mimicking the natural structure of nerve tissue.

In vitro Modeling

Electrospun fibers provide a valuable tool for studying cell behavior and interactions in the CNS, contributing to a better understanding of spinal cord injury mechanisms.

Study Limitations

1
Optimization is needed to determine ideal fiber diameter, material properties, and release characteristics for spinal cord injury.
2
Some surface modifications of electrospun fibers may degrade over time, reducing their long-term effectiveness.
3
Inclusion of proteins or therapeutic agents in electrospinning solutions can alter fiber geometry, affecting cell behavior.

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