Tubular scaffold with microchannels and an H-shaped lumen loaded with bone marrow stromal cells promotes neuroregeneration and inhibits apoptosis after spinal cord injury

J Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2020 · DOI: 10.1002/term.2996 · Published: February 5, 2020

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Biomedical

Simple Explanation

This study aimed to improve spinal cord injury repair using a tissue engineering scaffold that mimics the structure of the spinal cord. The improved scaffold integrated a single H-shaped central tube with microchannels and was loaded with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). The scaffold was transplanted into rats with spinal cord injuries, and the effects on nerve regeneration, locomotion, and neuroprotection were observed.

Study Duration

1 Year

Participants

129 adult female Sprague Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The integrated scaffold guided the regeneration of axons, especially serotonin receptor 1A receptor-positive axonal tracts.
2
Electrophysiological and locomotor functions of rats were partially recovered after scaffold implantation.
3
BMSCs protected neurons and oligodendrocytes from apoptosis during the early stage of implantation.

Research Summary

This study demonstrates the potential of a novel integrated scaffold loaded with BMSCs to promote spinal cord regeneration through mechanical guidance and neuroprotective mechanisms. The scaffold combined a single H-shaped central lumen with many surrounding microchannels to mimic the spinal cord architecture. The integrated scaffold loaded with BMSCs promoted axonal regeneration, improved functional recovery, and inhibited apoptosis after spinal cord injury in rats.

Practical Implications

Scaffold Design

The spinal cord-mimicking scaffold architecture, combining a central lumen with microchannels, provides a promising approach for guiding axonal regeneration after SCI.

Cell Therapy

Loading the scaffold with BMSCs enhances its therapeutic potential by promoting neuroprotection and differentiation into neuronal cells.

Precision Regeneration

Future studies should focus on applying diverse seed cells and cytokines to different regions of the scaffold to create distinct micro-environments for precision regeneration.

Study Limitations

1
The white matter region of the scaffold had only four channels on the dorsal side, which was insufficient to allow axonal tracts to pass through.
2
The effect of cytokines was temporary.
3
The capability of implanted cells in promoting regeneration may not last long

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