Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2016 · DOI: 10.1007/s13770-016-9115-0 · Published: October 1, 2016
Traumatic spinal cord injuries create an environment hostile to nerve regeneration due to tissue destruction and secondary events like scarring. Transplanting cells, especially olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), into the injured area can promote growth by providing supportive factors. This study tested whether OEC-seeded collagen scaffolds would improve nerve regeneration and functional recovery in rats with spinal cord injuries.
Bioengineered scaffolds can promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury, even without significant axon regeneration, suggesting a need for scaffold designs that facilitate alternative repair mechanisms.
The study suggests that simply transplanting purified OECs may not be sufficient for robust axon regeneration, prompting investigation into the role of other cell types or factors in promoting effective repair.
Future treatments for spinal cord injury should focus on combining multiple strategies, such as scaffolding, cell transplantation, and pharmacological interventions, to maximize functional recovery.