Hierarchically Ordered Porous and High-Volume Polycaprolactone Microchannel Scaffolds Enhanced Axon Growth in Transected Spinal Cords

TISSUE ENGINEERING: Part A, 2017 · DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2016.0378 · Published: March 31, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Biomedical

Simple Explanation

This study aimed to create nerve guidance scaffolds with a special structure to allow more space for nerves to grow. The scaffold material, polycaprolactone (PCL), was chosen for its compatibility with the body and its ability to break down over months. To make PCL more suitable, a modified salt-leaching technique was used to create interconnected pores. By controlling the porosity, the stiffness of the material could be adjusted. Adding pores or coating the material with fibronectin also helped cells attach to the PCL better. The scaffolds were tested in rats with spinal cord injuries. The results showed that nerve fibers grew linearly within the tubes and in the spaces between them, indicating that the entire open space of the scaffold was available for nerve growth.

Study Duration

4 weeks

Participants

Adult female Fischer 344 rats (150–200 g)

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The elastic modulus of PCL could be controlled between 2.09 and 182.1 MPa by controlling porosity.
2
Introducing porosity and/or coating with fibronectin enhanced the PCL cell attachment properties.
3
Linear axon growth was observed within both the microtubes as well as the interstitial space between the tubes, demonstrating that the entire open volume of the scaffold was available for nerve growth.

Research Summary

The study introduces a novel scaffold architecture and fabrication technique for spinal cord nerve repair using polycaprolactone (PCL). The scaffolds exhibit significantly higher open volume than state-of-the-art scaffolds, achieved through a modified salt-leaching technique to create controlled interconnected porosity in PCL microtubes. In vivo testing in transected rat spinal cords demonstrated favorable integration with host tissue and linear axonal growth within the scaffolds, indicating promising potential for spinal cord repair.

Practical Implications

Improved Scaffold Design

The novel scaffold architecture with high open volume can enhance nerve regeneration in spinal cord injuries.

Controlled Material Properties

The modified salt-leaching technique allows for controlling the porosity and stiffness of PCL, optimizing it for nerve tissue engineering.

Enhanced Cell Adhesion

Introducing porosity and/or coating with fibronectin can improve cell attachment, promoting better integration with host tissue.

Study Limitations

1
The number of axons present in the scaffold was not statistically significant or clinically viable.
2
Additional inflammatory response assays are necessary to make conclusions on the biocompatibility of the scaffolds.
3
Long-term biocompatibility and degradation analysis of the scaffolds are necessary.

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