Transplantation of hUC-MSCs seeded collagen scaffolds reduces scar formation and promotes functional recovery in canines with chronic spinal cord injury

Spinal cord injuries are difficult to treat because the body struggles to regrow damaged nerve cells and often forms scar tissue that blocks regeneration. This study explores a new approach using a special scaffold made of collagen, combined with human umbilical cord stem cells, to help repair chronic spinal cord injuries. The scaffold provides a structure for new cells to grow on, while the stem cells help to reduce scar tissue and promote the growth of new nerve cells. The study tested this approach in dogs with chronic spinal cord injuries, where the spinal cord had been completely cut and the injury was two months old. The results showed that the dogs treated with the stem cell-seeded scaffold had better motor function recovery, more nerve cell regeneration, less scar tissue, and more connections between nerve cells in the injured area compared to the control groups. This suggests that this approach could be a promising way to treat chronic spinal cord injuries in humans.

• 1
  Functionalized NeuroRegen scaffold implantation promoted both locomotor recovery and endogenous neurogenesis in the lesion area.
• 2
  Many regenerated axon fibers in the lesion area exhibited remyelination and synapse formation at 1 year post-injury in the functionalized NeuroRegen scaffold group.
• 3
  The NeuroRegen scaffold functionalized with hUC-MSCs is a promising potential therapeutic approach to chronic SCI that promotes neuronal regeneration, reduces glial scar formation, and ultimately improves locomotor recovery.