Relationship between Scaffold Channel Diameter and Number of Regenerating Axons in the Transected Rat Spinal Cord

Acta Biomater., 2009 · DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2009.03.021 · Published: September 1, 2009

Simple Explanation

This study investigates how the size of channels within a spinal cord scaffold affects nerve regeneration after spinal cord injury in rats. The researchers compared scaffolds with smaller (450 μm) and larger (660 μm) channels to see which promoted more axon growth. They found that smaller channels led to greater axon regeneration and less scar tissue formation compared to the larger channels.

Study Duration

3 Months

Participants

33 adult female Sprague Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Level 2; Experimental study

Key Findings

1
Scaffolds with 450-μm channels had significantly more axon fibers per channel than 660-μm scaffolds at 1 and 3 months post-implantation.
2
The area of fibrous rim (scar tissue) was significantly lower in the 450-μm channels compared to the 660-μm channels at the 1-month endpoint.
3
There was a weak positive correlation between the number of axon fibers and the cross-sectional area of the regenerative core.

Research Summary

This study examined the effect of scaffold channel size on axonal regeneration in transected rat spinal cords using Schwann cell-seeded PLGA scaffolds. The study found that smaller diameter channels (450-μm) promoted greater axonal regeneration and less fibrous scar formation compared to larger channels (660-μm). These findings suggest that optimizing scaffold geometry, specifically channel size, is crucial for promoting functional recovery after spinal cord injury.

Practical Implications

Scaffold Design

Smaller channel diameters in spinal cord scaffolds may enhance axon regeneration.

Fibrous Tissue Control

Strategies to minimize fibrous tissue formation within scaffolds are important for promoting axon growth.

Therapeutic Delivery Platform

Optimized scaffolds can serve as platforms for delivering cells, trophic factors, or drugs to enhance spinal cord regeneration.

Study Limitations

1
It was not possible to determine differences between the areas of the spinal cord where the most regeneration took place (i.e., ventral, dorsal or lateral).
2
The scaffold channels tended to move during the processing of the sections on the slide.
3
The decrease in number of axon fibres per channel from the one month to the two month endpoint in both groups indicates that the scaffold environment is unable to support the regenerated axons over time, perhaps due to an inflammatory reaction, or the growing fibrous scar.

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