title: Functional recovery following traumatic spinal cord injury mediated by a unique polymer scaffold seeded with neural stem cells.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Yang D
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Teng
authors.forename: Erin B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Lavik
authors.forename: Xianlu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qu
authors.forename: Kook I
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jitka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ourednik
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zurakowski
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Langer
authors.forename: Evan Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Snyder
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D019922:GAP-43 Protein; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D016900:Neurofilament Proteins; D011108:Polymers; C051774:neurofilament protein H