Positively Charged Oligo[Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Fumarate] Scaffold Implantation Results in a Permissive Lesion Environment after Spinal Cord Injury in Rat

Tissue Engineering: Part A, 2015 · DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2015.0019 · Published: June 15, 2015

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how a special scaffold, made from positively charged oligo[poly(ethylene glycol) fumarate] (OPF+), affects the area of damage after a spinal cord injury in rats. The researchers looked at how the scaffold, with or without Schwann cells (a type of nerve cell), changed the environment of the injury site over time, focusing on things like scar tissue, inflammation, and the presence of cells that help or hinder healing. The goal was to see if this scaffold could create a better environment for nerves to regrow and potentially improve recovery after spinal cord injury.

Study Duration

8 Weeks

Participants

56 adult female Sprague Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
OPF+ scaffold implantation results in a more permissive lesion environment, with reduced stromal scarring, cyst formation, astrocyte reactivity, CSPG deposition, and myelin debris.
2
This reduction in inhibitory elements is accompanied by an increase in amoeboid Iba1+ cells within the lesion, suggesting an inﬂuence of the polymer on macrophage/microglial activation.
3
A remaining potential barrier to axonal regeneration and viability was identiﬁed in the ﬁbrotic response to the scaffolds over time.

Research Summary

The study demonstrates a distinctive CNS tissue reaction to the implantation of OPF+ scaffolds after spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. Scaffold implantation results in a more permissive lesion environment, characterized by reduced stromal scarring, cyst formation, astrocyte reactivity, CSPG deposition, and myelin debris. Despite the beneficial effects, a fibrotic response to the scaffolds over time was identified as a potential barrier to axonal regeneration, suggesting a therapeutic target to improve scaffold effectiveness.

Practical Implications

Improved Lesion Environment

OPF+ scaffolds create a more favorable environment for nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury.

Macrophage Activation

The polymer influences macrophage/microglial activation, potentially aiding in the clearance of inhibitory elements.

Targeting Fibrotic Response

Inhibiting the fibrotic response to the scaffolds could further enhance axonal regeneration and functional recovery.

Study Limitations

1
The long-term foreign body response to the implanted OPF+ scaffold has also been identiﬁed as a potential physical barrier to axonal regeneration and viability
2
Donor GFP+ Schwann cells was observed at 3 weeks post-implantation that could also have a negative inﬂuence on axon regeneration and viability at later time points.
3
Immune reaction to the transplanted cells may also be responsible for the increased number of activated macrophages/microglia observed in the lesions

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury