The effects of tubulation on healing and scar formation after transection of the adult rat spinal cord.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of implantation of a collagen tube on healing and scar formation following transection of tbc adult rat spinal cord.


METHODS
The spinal cords of adult rats were completely transected at the mid-thoracic level. At 30 days after injury, the cellular and extra-cellular components of repair tissue present within tubulated and non-tubulated (control) wounds were compared using qualitative and quantitative histological techniques.


RESULTS
The presence of the tube reduced fibrocollagenous scar invasion into the gap, promoted astrocyte migration, and oriented axonal and connective tissue components of the repair tissue. Tube implants supported the regeneration of a substantial number of myelinated axons. A notable finding was the identification of cells containing a contractile actin isoform in the healing spinal cord.


CONCLUSIONS
The tubulation model allows for the study of spinal cord wound healing and axon elongation in a controlled experimental environment within the tube lumen. Using this model, it will be possible to study manipulation of the healing response by the introduction of exogenous agents within the tube.
Spilker
M H
MH
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA. mspilker@mit.edu
Yannas
I V
IV
Kostyk
S K
SK
Norregaard
T V
TV
Hsu
H P
HP
Spector
M
M
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003094:Collagen; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000502:physiology; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014945:Wound Healing
D000199:Actins; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D003094:Collagen