Functional recovery following traumatic spinal cord injury mediated by a unique polymer scaffold seeded with neural stem cells.
To better direct repair following spinal cord injury (SCI), we designed an implant modeled after the intact spinal cord consisting of a multicomponent polymer scaffold seeded with neural stem cells. Implantation of the scaffold-neural stem cells unit into an adult rat hemisection model of SCI promoted long-term improvement in function (persistent for 1 year in some animals) relative to a lesion-control group. At 70 days postinjury, animals implanted with scaffold-plus-cells exhibited coordinated, weight-bearing hindlimb stepping. Histology and immunocytochemical analysis suggested that this recovery might be attributable partly to a reduction in tissue loss from secondary injury processes as well as in diminished glial scarring. Tract tracing demonstrated corticospinal tract fibers passing through the injury epicenter to the caudal cord, a phenomenon not present in untreated groups. Together with evidence of enhanced local GAP-43 expression not seen in controls, these findings suggest a possible regeneration component. These results may suggest a new approach to SCI and, more broadly, may serve as a prototype for multidisciplinary strategies against complex neurological problems.
Teng
Yang D
YD
Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Lavik
Erin B
EB
Qu
Xianlu
X
Park
Kook I
KI
Ourednik
Jitka
J
Zurakowski
David
D
Langer
Robert
R
Snyder
Evan Y
EY
D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D019922:GAP-43 Protein / Q000032:analysis; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation*; D011108:Polymers; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D014947:Wounds and Injuries
D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D011108:Polymers; C051774:neurofilament protein H