Subcutaneous priming of protein-functionalized chitosan scaffolds improves function following spinal cord injury

This study explores a novel approach to improve spinal cord injury (SCI) recovery by combining tissue engineering and regenerative medicine techniques. The approach involves using neural stem cell (NSC)-seeded scaffolds made of methacrylamide chitosan (MAC) with covalently immobilized interferon-γ (IFN-γ). The scaffolds are first matured in the subcutaneous environment of rats for 4 weeks to prime them for regeneration before being transplanted into the injured spinal cord. This subcutaneous priming aims to improve the integration and functional outcomes of the scaffolds. The study also investigates the effect of administering intracellular σ peptide (ISP), which reduces inhibition from the glial scar, in combination with the subcutaneously matured scaffolds to enhance locomotor function recovery after SCI.

• 1
  Subcutaneous maturation of NSC-seeded scaffolds combined with ISP administration improved locomotor function, as assessed by BBB scores and quantitative gait parameters, compared to a no treatment control.
• 2
  Subcutaneous maturation decreased the neuronal differentiation of implanted cells, as indicated by decreased NeuN expression, and increased the expression of the neural precursor marker nestin in the implanted cells.
• 3
  Robust neurofilament expression was observed at the periphery of the scaffold, and this was augmented by subcutaneous maturation and ISP administration, suggesting improved integration of the scaffold with the host tissue.