The corticospinal tract structure of collagen/silk ﬁbroin scaffold implants using 3D printing promotes functional recovery after complete spinal cord transection in rats

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-021-06500-2 · Published: March 22, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Biomedical

Simple Explanation

This study explores a new approach to treat spinal cord injuries (SCI) using 3D-printed scaffolds made of collagen and silk ﬁbroin (3D-C/SF). These scaffolds are designed to mimic the structure of the corticospinal tract, a key pathway in the spinal cord, aiming to guide axonal regrowth after injury. The researchers implanted these 3D-C/SF scaffolds into rats with completely severed spinal cords and compared their recovery to rats with normal collagen/silk ﬁbroin scaffold (C/SF) and rats without any implants. They assessed nerve regeneration and motor function over eight weeks. The results showed that the 3D-C/SF scaffolds significantly improved nerve regeneration and motor function in the rats compared to the control groups, suggesting that this approach could be a promising way to treat SCI.

Study Duration

8 weeks

Participants

100 adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats

Evidence Level

Level III, Animal study

Key Findings

1
3D-C/SF implants led to significant improvements in neurological function in rats compared to the C/SF group.
2
MRI scans showed that 3D-C/SF implants promoted a striking degree of axonal regeneration and connection between the proximal and distal SCI sites.
3
Histological analysis revealed fewer lesions and disordered structures in rats with the 3D-C/SF scaffold, along with more GAP43-positive profiles at the lesion site, indicating improved axonal regeneration.

Research Summary

This study investigates the potential of 3D-printed collagen/silk fibroin (3D-C/SF) scaffolds, designed to mimic the corticospinal tract, to promote functional recovery after complete spinal cord transection in rats. The 3D-C/SF scaffolds demonstrated improved axonal regeneration and neurological function compared to traditional C/SF scaffolds, as evidenced by electrophysiological analysis, MRI, and histological findings. The results suggest that the corticospinal tract structure of the 3D-printed scaffold provides a promising approach for tissue repair after SCI by improving axonal regeneration and promoting orderly connections within the neural network.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

The 3D-C/SF scaffold shows promise as a therapeutic intervention for SCI, promoting axonal regeneration and functional recovery.

Scaffold Design

The study highlights the importance of scaffold design in SCI repair, demonstrating that mimicking the corticospinal tract structure can enhance axonal regeneration.

3D Printing Application

The research demonstrates the utility of 3D printing technology in creating complex and precise scaffolds for tissue engineering applications, specifically in the context of SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The study used a complete spinal cord transection model, which may not fully reflect the complexities of human SCI.
2
The study did not investigate the combination of scaffolds with nerve cells and nerve growth factors for SCI repair.
3
Further modification of the 3D-C/SF performance and 3D space structure is necessary to obtain even better clinical effects.

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