Recent Advances in Implantable 3D-Printed Scaffolds for Repair of Spinal Cord Injury

Adv Pharm Bull, 2024 · DOI: 10.34172/apb.2024.032 · Published: March 10, 2024

Simple Explanation

Tissue engineering aims to create biological substitutes to restore, maintain, and improve damaged tissue function, utilizing scaffolds, cells, and growth factors. 3D printed scaffolds, combined with growth factors or cells, provide a microenvironment at the injury site to aid in axon regeneration and neural recovery after SCI. The review covers tissue engineering, 3D printing scaffolds, various polymers used, and their characterization methods, highlighting encouraging applications in SCI therapy.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Rat models

Evidence Level

Review Article

Key Findings

1
3D-C/C scaffold implantation leads to improving the locomotor function in SCI rat.
2
3D-C/SF scaffold promoted the locomotor function after SCI and significantly improved axonal regeneration based on MRI results.
3
3D printed scaffolds combined with NPCs significantly enhance host axonal regeneration into the lesion.

Research Summary

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an important factor in sensory and motor disorders that affects thousands of people every year. In the last decade, the use of 3D printed scaffolds in the treatment of SCI had satisfactory and promising results. This review highlights the recent encouraging applications of 3D printing scaffolds in developing the novel SCI therapy.

Practical Implications

Improved SCI Treatment

3D printed scaffolds offer a promising avenue for treating SCI by promoting axon regeneration and neural recovery.

Enhanced Microenvironment

These scaffolds create a supportive microenvironment at the injury site, facilitating tissue integration and vascularization.

Functional Recovery

Studies show improved locomotor function and nerve fiber regeneration with the use of cell-laden 3D printed scaffolds.

Study Limitations

1
Clinical application, using polymers with complex structure and variable components such as matrigel has a limitation and for this reason it is better replacing it with other polymers such as laminin and collagen type 4.
2
Simultaneous use of two or more cells and growth factors in order to better and faster reconstruction of SCI.
3
Cell grafts can rarely viable for a long time because of the presence of inflammatory and toxic blood products at the injury site

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