Multichannel polymer scaffold seeded with activated Schwann cells and bone mesenchymal stem cells improves axonal regeneration and functional recovery after rat spinal cord injury

Acta Pharmacologica Sinica, 2017 · DOI: 10.1038/aps.2017.11 · Published: April 3, 2017

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Biomedical

Simple Explanation

This study explores a new method for treating spinal cord injuries in rats by using a special structure called a multichannel scaffold. This scaffold is made from a material that the body can break down over time and is filled with two types of cells: activated Schwann cells (ASCs) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The researchers tested whether implanting this scaffold into the damaged spinal cord could help the rats regain movement and nerve function after a complete spinal cord injury. The idea is that the scaffold provides a supportive environment for the cells to help regenerate damaged nerve fibers. The results showed that rats treated with the scaffold containing both ASCs and MSCs had better recovery of nerve function compared to those treated with the scaffold alone or with only one type of cell. This suggests that combining these cells in a scaffold could be a promising way to treat spinal cord injuries.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

Sprague-Dawley female rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Co-transplantation of ASCs and MSCs in a multichannel polymer scaffold significantly improved nerve function recovery in rats after spinal cord injury, as shown by BBB scores and electrophysiological test results.
2
Implanted MSCs survived at the lesion/graft site and differentiated into neuron-like cells, co-localizing with host neurons.
3
Robust bundles of regenerated fibers, confirmed as axons by neurofilament 200 (NF) staining, and myelin basic protein (MBP)-positive myelin sheaths were identified at the lesion/graft site in the ASC and MSC co-transplantation group.

Research Summary

This study investigated a combinatorial strategy using a multichannel PLGA scaffold seeded with activated Schwann cells (ASCs) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery after complete spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats. The results demonstrated that rats receiving scaffolds seeded with both ASCs and MSCs exhibited significant recovery of nerve function compared to other groups, as evidenced by improved BBB scores and electrophysiological test results. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that implanted MSCs survived, differentiated into neuron-like cells, and co-localized with host neurons, while robust bundles of regenerated fibers and myelin sheaths were identified at the lesion/graft site, suggesting the potential of this combinatorial strategy for SCI treatment.

Practical Implications

Novel therapeutic strategy

Co-transplantation of ASCs and MSCs in a multichannel polymer scaffold may represent a novel combinatorial strategy for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

Clinical autologous transplantation potential

The cells used in the study were primary cells without gene modification, harvested from skeletal and neural tissues, suggesting potential for clinical autologous transplantation without severe immune rejection risks.

Scaffold-based delivery benefits

The 3D scaffolds create a platform with micro-architecture that provides the appropriate microenvironment to promote the survival and distribution of transplanted cells.

Study Limitations

1
No definitive corticospinal tract axons were detected in all groups.
2
The study used a rat model, and the results may not be directly transferable to humans.
3
Further research is needed to optimize the cell ratio and scaffold design for maximum therapeutic effect.

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