Templated Agarose Scaffolds for the Support of Motor Axon Regeneration Into Sites of Complete Spinal Cord Transection

Biomaterials, 2013 · DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2012.10.070 · Published: February 1, 2013

Simple Explanation

Bioengineered scaffolds show promise in guiding injured axons after spinal cord injury, aiding neural repair. Prior research showed that templated agarose scaffolds could organize growth in partially injured spinal cords. This study investigates whether these scaffolds, with bone marrow stromal cells secreting Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), can support regeneration in complete spinal cord transections, focusing on motor axon responses. The study found that templated agarose scaffolds can support motor axon regeneration in severe spinal cord injuries. These scaffolds organize axons into linear fascicles. Furthermore, BDNF enhances axonal growth, suggesting scaffold implantation could help in severe central nervous system injuries. Researchers created agarose scaffolds with precise channels. These scaffolds were implanted into rats with complete spinal cord transections. Some scaffolds contained bone marrow stromal cells secreting BDNF, while others had control cells. The study then assessed the regeneration of motor axons from the brainstem into the injury site.

Study Duration

4 weeks

Participants

57 adult female Fischer 344 rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Templated agarose scaffolds support motor axon regeneration into a severe spinal cord injury model.
2
Axons are organized into fascicles of highly linear configuration within the scaffolds.
3
BDNF significantly enhances axonal growth within the scaffolds.

Research Summary

This study assessed the potential of bioengineered scaffolds to support and guide axonal growth in a severe spinal cord injury model involving complete spinal cord transection in adult rats. The findings demonstrate that templated agarose scaffolds can support and guide motor axonal regeneration over the full length of the lesion, with BDNF enhancing axonal growth. The study also highlights the need for further development to promote axonal regeneration beyond the scaffold and into the host spinal cord.

Practical Implications

Clinical Translation Potential

The findings support the feasibility of scaffold implantation for enhancing central regeneration after severe central nervous system injury, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for spinal cord injuries.

Scaffold Design Improvement

Future work should focus on promoting axonal regeneration beyond the lesion site by exploring growth factor gradients, degradation of inhibitory barriers, and stimulation of the intrinsic growth state of injured axons.

Model Refinement

Further studies should test scaffolds in severe contusion models of spinal cord injury to better reflect the pathological mechanism of most human injuries.

Study Limitations

1
Axonal growth was observed within the scaffolds but not beyond into the host spinal cord tissue.
2
The study used a complete transection model, which differs from the more common contusion injuries in humans.
3
The experiment was conducted over a relatively short period (4 weeks), limiting the assessment of long-term effects and scaffold biodegradation.

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