Therapeutic Effect of Biomimetic Scaffold Loaded with Human Amniotic Epithelial Cell-Derived Neural-like Cells for Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to loss of motor and sensory function because of neuronal loss and disrupted neural circuits. Current therapies have limited effects, necessitating new approaches. This study explores using human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) modified into neural-like cells. The hAECs, known for their immunocompatibility and lack of ethical issues, were induced into neural-like cells using a special compound cocktail. These modified cells maintained low immunogenicity, similar to unmodified hAECs. A 3D-printed scaffold, mimicking the spinal cord structure, was created from GelMA hydrogel with micro-channels to support the growth of these hAEC-neural-like cells. Implanting this scaffold in rats with SCI showed significant therapeutic effects, with some recovery of neural circuits and hindlimb locomotion.

• 1
  Human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) can be effectively induced into neural-like cells using a compound cocktail (BGVB), showing morphological changes and expression of neural cell markers.
• 2
  hAEC-neural-like cells retain the low immunogenicity characteristic of hAECs, making them a safer option for cell-based therapies.
• 3
  A 3D-printed GelMA hydrogel scaffold loaded with hAEC-neural-like cells demonstrates significant therapeutic effects in a rat SCI model, promoting neural circuit recovery and hindlimb locomotion.